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LI F E AT. PLUMFI E LD
W IT H JO'S BOYS
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UISA
ALCOTT
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Little Men
Little Men
Life at Plumfield with Jo*s Boys
By
Louisa M. Alcott
\\
Author of "Little Women," "An Old-Fashioned Girl,"
" Eight Cousins," "Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag," etc.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
BY REGINALD B. BIRCH
Boston
Little, Brown, and Company
1901
PS 1017
I 4~
-^ fL -T
I 90!
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by
LOUISA M. ALCOTT,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
Copyright, 1899,
BY JOHN S. P. ALCOTT.
Copyright,
BY LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY.
All rights reserved.
UNIVERSITY PRESS JOHN WILSON
AND SON CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
TO
FREDDY AND JOHNNY,
Etttle
TO WHOM SHE OWES SOME OF THE BEST AND HAPPIEST
HOURS OF HER LIFE,
THIS BOOK IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED
BY THEIR LOVING
"AUNT WEEDY."
Contents
CHAPTER PAGE
I. NAT i
II. THE BOYS 19
III. SUNDAY 29
IV. STEPPING-STONES ' 5 2
V. PATTY PANS 66
VI. A FIRE BRAND 89
VII. NAUGHTY NAN 113
VIII. PRANKS AND PLAYS 126
IX. DAISY'S BALL 140
X. HOME AGAIN 155
XI. UNCLE TEDDY 176
XII. HUCKLEBERRIES 193
XIII. GOLDILOCKS 222
XIV. DAMON AND PYTHIAS 232
XV. IN THE WILLOW 257
XVI. TAMING THE COLT 279
XVII. COMPOSITION DAY 292
XVIII. CROPS 308
XIX. JOHN BROOKE 320
XX. ROUND THE FIRE 336
XXI. THANKSGIVING 362
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
" Half hidden by the bouquet of laughing young faces'
Frontispiece
<f The boy ... lay caimly looking up at the new face
with a surprised ' Hullo ! ' ' . . 3
" Nat eagerly drinking in the words of his little friend
while Demi told the sweet and solemn story ' 50
< I will remember ! Oh ! I will !'" 63
" Kit appeared with a covered basket in his mouth ' . . 79
" Down went horse, matadore and all ' 101
" < I could n't wait any longer, so I went and got it ' . 122
" There he loved to perch, making music like a happy
bird 134
" * Gaily the troubadour
Touched his guitar ' '. . 144
" Dan never forgot the little picture on which the light of
his lantern shone that night ' 209
" Landed him with a splash in the middle of the brook ". 241
" * Is n't he handsome ? ' said Dan ' 290
" He trudged to and fro till his small legs were tired ' .318
"The memory of the other father . . . made Mr. Bhaer
hold his own boy close' 322
"All were glad to gather round the hearth ... to play
games*'
Little Men
Life at Plumjield with Jo s Boys
CHAPTER I
NAT
k LEASE, sir, is this Plumfield?' asked a rag-
ged boy of the man who opened the great
gate at which the omnibus left him.
o
Yes ; who sent you ? '
" Mr. Laurence. I have got a letter for the lady."
" All right ; go up to the house, and give it to her ;
she '11 see to you, little chap."
The man spoke pleasantly, and the boy went on,
feeling much cheered by the words. Through the
soft spring rain that fell on sprouting grass and bud-
ding trees, Nat saw a large square house before him,
a hospitable-looking house, with an old-fashioned
porch, wide steps, and lights shining in many win-
dows. Neither curtains nor shutters hid the cheer-
ful glimmer ; and, pausing a moment before he rang,
Nat saw many little shadows dancing on the walls,
heard the pleasant hum of young voices, and felt
that it was hardly possible that the light and warmth
and comfort within could be for a homeless " little
chap ' like him.
j
2 Little Men
" I hope the lady will see to me," he thought ;
and gave a timid rap with the great bronze knocker,
which was a jovial griffin's head.
A rosy-faced servant-maid opened the door, and
smiled as she took the letter which he silently
offered. She seemed used to receiving strange boys,
for she pointed to a seat in the hall, and said, with
a nod,
" Sit there and drip on the mat a bit, while I take
this in to missis."
Nat found plenty to amuse him while he waited,
and stared about him curiously, enjoying the view,
yet glad to do so unobserved in the dusky recess
by the door.
The house seemed swarming with boys, who were
beguiling the rainy twilight with all sorts of amuse-
ments. There were boys everywhere, " up-stairs and
down-stairs and in the lady's chamber," apparently,
for various open doors showed pleasant groups of
big boys, little boys, and middle-sized boys in all
stages of evening relaxation, not to say effervescence.
Two large rooms on the right were evidently school-
rooms, for desks, maps, blackboards, and books were
scattered about. An open fire burned on the hearth,
and several indolent lads lay on their backs before it,
discussing a new cricket-ground, with such animation
that their boots waved in the air. A tall youth was
practising on the flute in one corner, quite undis-
turbed by the racket all about him. Two or three
others were jumping over the desks, pausing, now
and then, to get their breath, and laugh at the droll
sketches of a little wag who was caricaturing the
whole household on a blackboard.
Nat 3
In the room on the left a long supper-table was
seen, set forth with great pitchers of new milk, piles
of brown and white bread, and perfect stacks of the
shiny gingerbread so dear to boyish souls. A flavor
of toast was in the air, also suggestions of baked
apples, very tantalizing to one hungry little nose
and stomach.
The hall, however, presented the most inviting
prospect of all, for a brisk game of tag was going
on in the upper entry. One landing was devoted
to marbles, the other to checkers, while the stairs
were occupied by a boy reading, a girl singing lul-
laby to her doll, two puppies, a kitten, and a con-
stant succession of small boys sliding down the
banisters, to the great detriment of their clothes,
and danger to their limbs.
So absorbed did Nat become in this exciting race,
that he ventured farther and farther out of his corner ;
and when one very lively boy came down so swiftly
that he could not stop himself, but fell off the banis-
ters, with a crash that would have broken any head
but one rendered nearly as hard as a cannon-ball by
eleven years of constant bumping, Nat forgot himself,
and ran up to the fallen rider, expecting to find him
half-dead. The boy, however, only winked rapidly
for a second, then lay calmly looking up at the new
face with a surprised " Hullo ! '
" Hullo ! ' returned Nat, not knowing what else to
say, and thinking that form of reply both brief and
easy.
" Are you a new boy ? ' asked the recumbent youth,
without stirring.
" Don't know yet."
4 Little Men
"What's your name?"
" Nat Blake."
" Mine 's Tommy Bangs ; come up and have a go,
will you?' and Tommy got upon his legs like one
suddenly remembering the duties of hospitality.
" Guess I won't, till I see whether I 'm going to
stay or not," returned Nat, feeling the desire to stay
increase every moment.
" I say, Demi, here 's a new one. Come and see to
him ; ' and the lively Thomas returned to his sport
with unabated relish.
At his call, the boy reading on the stairs looked up
with a pair of big brown eyes, and after an instant's
pause, as if a little shy, he put the book under his
arm, and came soberly down to greet the new-comer,
who found something very attractive in the pleasant
face of this slender, mild-eyed boy.
" Have you seen Aunt Jo?' he asked, as if that
was some sort of important ceremony.
" I have n't seen anybody yet but you boys ; I 'm
waiting," answered Nat.
"Did Uncle Laurie send you?' proceeded Demi,
politely, but gravely.
" Mr. Laurence did."
" He is Uncle Laurie; and he always sends nice
boys."
Nat looked gratified at the remark, and smiled, in
a way that made his thin face very pleasant. He did
not know what to say next, so the two stood staring
at one another in friendly silence, till the little girl
came up with her doll in her arms. She was very
like Demi, only not so tall, and had a rounder, rosier
face, and blue eyes.
Nat 5
"This is my sister Daisy," announced Demi, as if
presenting a rare and precious creature.
The children nodded to one another; and the
little girl's face dimpled with pleasure, as she said,
affably, -
" I hope you '11 stay. We have such good times
here; don't we, Demi?'
" Of course, we do ; that 's what Aunt Jo has
Plumfield for."
" It seems a very nice place indeed," observed Nat,
feeling that he must respond to these amiable young
persons.
" It 's the nicest place in the world ; is n't it, Demi ? '
said Daisy, who evidently regarded her brother as
authority on all subjects.
" No ; I think Greenland, where the icebergs and
seals are, is more interesting. But I 'm fond of Plum-
field, and it is a very nice place to be in," returned
Demi, who was interested just now in a book on
Greenland. He was about to offer to show Nat the
pictures and explain them, when the servant returned,
saying, with a nod toward the parlor-door,
" All right ; you are to stop."
" I 'm glad ; now come to Aunt Jo." And Daisy
took him by the hand with a pretty protecting air,
which made Nat feel at home at once.
Demi returned to his beloved book, while his sister
led the new-comer into a back room, where a stout
gentleman was frolicking with two little boys on the
sofa, and a thin lady was just finishing the letter
which she seemed to have been re-reading.
" Here he is, Aunty ! ' cried Daisy.
" So this is my new boy? I am glad to see you,
6 Little Men
my dear, and hope you '11 be happy here," said the
lady, drawing him to her, and stroking back the hair
from his forehead with a kind hand and a motherly
look, which made Nat's lonely little heart yearn
toward her.
She was not at all handsome, but she had a merry
sort of face, that never seemed to have forgotten
certain childish ways and looks, any more than her
voice and manner had ; and these things, hard to
describe but very plain to see and feel, made her
a genial, comfortable kind of person, easy to get
on with, and generally " jolly," as boys would say.
She saw the little tremble of Nat's lips as she
smoothed his hair, and her keen eyes grew softer,
but she only drew the shabby figure nearer and
said, laughing,
" I am Mother Bhaer, that gentleman is Father
Bhaer, and these are the two little Bhaers. Come
here, boys, and see Nat."
The three wrestlers obeyed at once ; and the stout
man, with a chubby child on each shoulder, came up
to welcome the new boy. Rob and Teddy merely
grinned at him, but Mr. Bhaer shook hands, and
pointing to a low chair near the fire, said, in a cordial
voice,
" There is a place all ready for thee, my son ; sit
down and dry thy wet feet at once."
" Wet? so they are ! My dear, off with your shoes
this minute, and I '11 have some dry things ready for
you in a jiffy," cried Mrs. Bhaer, bustling about so
energetically, that Nat found himself in the cosy little
chair, with dry socks and warm slippers on his feet,
before he would have had time to say Jack Robinson,
Nat 7
if he had wanted to try. He said " Thank you,
ma'am," instead ; and said it so gratefully, that Mrs.
Bhaer's eyes grew soft again, and she said something
merry, because she felt so tender, which was a way
she had.
" These are Tommy Bangs' slippers ; but he never
will remember to put them on in the house ; so he
shall not have them. They are too big; but that's
all the better ; you can't run away from us so fast as
if they fitted."
" I don't want to run away, ma'am." And Nat
spread his grimy little hands before the comfortable
blaze, with a long sigh of satisfaction.
" That's good ! Now I am going to toast you well,
and try to get rid of that ugly cough. How long have
you had it, dear? " asked Mrs. Bhaer, as she rummaged
in her big basket for a strip of flannel.
" All winter. I got cold, and it would n't get better,
somehow."
" No wonder, living in that damp cellar with hardly
a rag to his poor dear back ! " said Mrs. Bhaer, in a
low tone to her husband, who was looking at the boy
with a skilful pair of eyes, that marked the thin tem-
ples and feverish lips, as well as the hoarse voice and
frequent fits of coughing that shook the bent shoulders
under the patched jacket.
" Robin, my man, trot up to Nursey, and tell her to
give thee the cough-bottle and the liniment," said Mr.
Bhaer, after his eyes had exchanged telegrams with
his wife's.
Nat looked a little anxious at the preparations, but
forgot his fears, in a hearty laugh, when Mrs. Bhaer
whispered to him, with a droll look,
8 Little Men
" Hear my rogue Teddy try to cough. The syrup
I 'm going to give you has honey in it ; and he wants
some.'
Little Ted was red in the face with his exertions
by the time the bottle came, and was allowed to suck
the spoon, after Nat had manfully taken a dose, and
had the bit of flannel put about his throat.
These first steps toward a cure were hardly com-
pleted, when a great bell rang, and a loud tramping
through the hall announced supper. Bashful Nat
quaked at the thought of meeting many strange boys,
but Mrs. Bhaer held out her hand to him, and Rob
said, patronizingly, " Don't be 'fraid ; I '11 take care
of you."
Twelve boys, six on a side, stood behind their
chairs, prancing with impatience to begin, while the
tall flute-playing youth was trying to curb their
ardor. But no one sat down, till Mrs. Bhaer was in
her place behind the teapot, with Teddy on her left,
and Nat on her right.
" This is our new boy, Nat Blake. After supper you
can say. How do you do? Gently, boys, gently."
As she spoke every one stared at Nat, and then
whisked into their seats, trying to be orderly, and
failing utterly. The Bhaers did their best to have the
lads behave well at meal times, and generally suc-
ceeded pretty well, for their rules were few and sensi-
ble, and the boys, knowing that they tried to make
things easy and happy, did their best to obey. But
there are times when hungry boys cannot be repressed
without real cruelty, and Saturday evening, after a
half-holiday, was one of those times.
" Dear little souls, do let them have one day in
Nat 9
which they can howl and racket and frolic, to their
hearts' content. A holiday is n't a holiday, without
plenty of freedom and fun ; and they shall have full
swing once a week," Mrs. Bhaer used to say, when
prim people wondered why banister-sliding, pillow-
fights, and all manner of jovial games were allowed
under the once decorous roof of Plumfield.
It did seem at times as if the aforesaid roof was in
danger of flying off; but it never did, for a word from
Father Bhaer could at any time produce a lull, and
the lads had learned that liberty must not be abused.
So, in spite of many dark predictions, the school
flourished, and manners and morals were insinuated,
without the pupils exactly knowing how it was
done.
Nat found himself very well off behind the tall
pitchers, with Tommy Bangs just round the corner,
and Mrs. Bhaer close by, to fill up plate and mug as
fast as he could empty them.
" Who is that boy next the girl down at the other
end? " whispered Nat to his young neighbor under
cover of a general laugh.
"That's Demi Brooke. Mr. Bhaer is his uncle."
" What a queer name ! '
" His real name is John, but they call him Demi-
John, because his father is John too. That 's a joke,
don't you see?' said Tommy, kindly explaining.
Nat did not see, but politely smiled, and asked, with
interest,
" Is n't he a very nice boy? '
" I bet you he is ; knows lots and reads like any
thing."
" Who is the fat one next him? "
io Little Men
" Oh, that 's Stuffy Cole. His name is George, but
we call him Stuffy 'cause he eats so much. The little
fellow next Father Bhaer is his boy Rob, and then
there 's big Franz his nephew ; he teaches some,
and kind of sees to us."
"He plays the flute, doesn't he?" asked Nat as
Tommy rendered himself speechless by putting a
whole baked apple into his mouth at one blow.
Tommy nodded, and said, sooner than one would
have imagined possible under the circumstances, " Oh,
don't he, though? and we dance sometimes, and do
gymnastics to music. I like a drum myself, and mean
to learn as soon as ever I can."
"I like a fiddle best; I can play one too,"
said Nat, getting confidential on this attractive
subject.
" Can you? ' and Tommy stared over the rim of
his mug with round eyes, full of interest. " Mr.
Bhaer 's got an old fiddle, and he'll let ; you play
on it if you want to."
" Could I? Oh, I would like it ever so much. You
see I used to go round fiddling with my father, and
another man, till he died."
" Was n't that fun ? " cried Tommy, much impressed.
" No, it was horrid ; so cold in winter, and hot in
summer. And I got tired ; and they were cross
sometimes ; and I did n't have enough to eat." Nat
paused to take a generous bite of gingerbread, as if
to assure himself that the hard times were over; and
then he added regretfully, " But I did love my little
fiddle, and I miss it. Nicolo took it away when father
died, and would n't have me any longer, 'cause I was
sick."
Nat 1 1
" You '11 belong to the band if you play good. See
if you don't."
" Do you have a band here?' And Nat's eyes
sparkled.
" Guess we do ; a jolly band, all boys ; and they
have concerts and things. You just see what hap-
pens to-morrow night."
After this pleasantly exciting remark, Tommy re-
turned to his supper, and Nat sank into a blissful
reverie over his full plate.
Mrs. Bhaer had heard all they said, while appar-
ently absorbed in filling mugs, and overseeing little
Ted, who was so sleepy that he put his spoon in his
eye, nodded like a rosy poppy, and finally fell fast
asleep, with his cheek pillowed on a soft bun. Mrs.
Bhaer had put Nat next to Tommy, because that
roly-poly boy had a frank and social way with him,
very attractive to shy persons. Nat felt this, and had
made several small confidences during supper, which
gave Mrs. Bhaer the key to the new boy's character,
better than if she had talked to him herself.
In the letter which Mr. Laurence had sent with
Nat, he had said
" DEAR Jo, Here is a case after your own heart. This
poor lad is an orphan now, sick and friendless. He has
been a street-musician ; and I found him in a cellar, mourn-
ing for his dead father, and his lost violin. I think there
is something in him, and have a fancy that between us we
may give this little man a lift. You cure his overtasked
body, Fritz help his neglected mind, and when he is ready
I '11 see if he is a genius or only a boy with a talent which
may earn his bread for him. Give him a trial, for the sake
of your own boy, TEDDY."
12 Little Men
" Of course we will ! " cried Mrs. Bhaer, as she read
the letter; and when she saw Nat, she felt at once
that whether he was a genius or not, here was a
lonely, sick boy, who needed just what she loved
to give, a home, and motherly care. Both she and
Mr. Bhaer observed him quietly; and in spite of
ragged clothes, awkward manners, and a dirty face,
they saw much about Nat that pleased them. He
was a thin, pale boy, of twelve, with blue eyes, and
a good forehead under the rough, neglected hair ;
an anxious, scared face, at times, as if he expected
hard words, or blows ; and a sensitive mouth, that
trembled when a kind glance fell on him ; while
a gentle speech called up a look of gratitude, very
sweet to see. " Bless the poor dear, he shall fiddle
all day long if he likes," said Mrs. Bhaer to herself,
as she saw the eager, happy expression on his face
when Tommy talked of the band.
So, after supper, when the lads flocked into the
school-room for more " high jinks," Mrs. Jo ap-
peared with a violin in her hand, and after a word
with her husband, went to Nat, who sat in a corner
watching the scene with intense interest.
" Now, my lad, give us a little tune. We want a
violin in our band, and I think you will do it nicely."
She expected that he would hesitate ; but he seized
the old fiddle at once, and handled it with such loving
care, it was plain to see that music was his passion.
" I '11 do the best I can, ma'am," was all he said ;
and then drew the bow across the strings, as if eager
to hear the dear notes again.
There was a great clatter in the room, but as if
deaf to any sounds but those he made, Nat played
Nat 13
softly to himself, forgetting every thing in his delight.
It was only a simple negro melody, such as street-
musicians play, but it caught the ears of the boys
at once, and silenced them, till they stood listening
with surprise and pleasure. Gradually they got nearer
and nearer, and Mr. Bhaer came up to watch the boy ;
for, as if he was in his element now, Nat played away
and never minded any one, while his eyes shone, his
cheeks reddened, and his thin fingers flew, as he
hugged the old fiddle and made it speak to all their
hearts the language that he loved.
A hearty round of applause rewarded him better
than a shower of pennies, when he stopped and
glanced about him, as if to say
" I Ve done my best; please like it."
" I say, you do that first rate," cried Tommy, who
considered Nat his protege.
" You shall be first fiddle in my band," added
Franz, with an approving smile.
Mrs. Bhaer whispered to her husband
" Teddy is right : there 's something in the child."
And Mr. Bhaer nodded his head emphatically, as he
clapped Nat on the shoulder, saying, heartily
" You play well, my son. Come now and play
something which w r e can sing."
It was the proudest, happiest minute of the poor
boy's life when he was led to the place of honor
by the piano, and the lads gathered round, never
heeding his poor clothes, but eying him respect-
fully, and waiting eagerly to hear him play again.
They chose a song he knew ; and after one or two
false starts they got going, and violin, flute, and piano
led a chorus of boyish voices that made the old roof
14 Little Men
ring again. It was too much for Nat, more feeble
than he knew; and as the final shout died away,
his face began to work, he dropped the fiddle, and
turning to the wall, sobbed like a little child.
" My dear, what is it? " asked Mrs. Bhaer, who had
been singing with all her might, and trying to keep
little Rob from beating time with his boots.
" You are all so kind and it's so beautiful I
can't help it," sobbed Nat, coughing till he was
breathless.
"Come with me, dear; you must go to bed and
rest ; you are worn out, and this is too noisy a place
for you," whispered Mrs. Bhaer; and took him away
to her own parlor, where she let him cry himself
quiet.
Then she won him to tell her all his troubles, and
listened to the little story with tears in her own eyes,
though it was not a new one to her.
" My child, you have got a father and a mother
now, and this is home. Don't think of those sad
times any more, but get well and happy; and be
sure you shall never suffer again, if we can help it.
This place is made for all sorts of boys to have a
good time in, and to learn how to help themselves
and be useful men, I hope. You shall have as much
music as you want, only you must get strong first.
Now come up to Nursey and have a bath, and then
go to bed, and to-morrow we will lay some nice little
plans together."
Nat held her hand fast in his, but had not a word
to say, and let his grateful eyes speak for him, as Mrs.
Bhaer led him up to a big room, where they found
a stout German woman with a face so round and
Nat 15
cheery, that it looked like a sort of sun, with the
wide frill of her cap for rays.
" This is Nursey Hummel, and she will give you
a nice bath, and cut your hair, and make you all
' comfy/ as Rob says. That 's the bath-room in
there ; and on Saturday nights we scrub all the
little lads first, and pack them away in bed before
the big ones get through singing. Now then, Rob,
in with you."
As she talked, Mrs. Bhaer had whipped off Rob's
clothes and popped him into a long bath-tub in the
little room opening into the nursery.
There were two tubs, besides foot-baths, basins,
douche-pipes, and all manner of contrivances for clean-
liness. Nat was soon luxuriating in the other bath :
and while simmering there, he watched the perform-
ances of the two women, who scrubbed, clean night-
gowned, and bundled into bed four or five small boys,
who, of course, cut up all sorts of capers during the
operation, and kept every one in a gale of merriment
till they were extinguished in their beds.
By the time Nat was washed and done up in a
blanket by the fire, while Nursey cut his hair, a new
detachment of boys arrived and were shut into the
bath-room, where they made as much splashing and
noise as a school of young whales at play.
" Nat had better sleep here, so that if his cough
troubles him in the night you can see that he takes a
good draught of flax-seed tea," said Mrs. Bhaer, who
was flying about like a distracted hen with a large
brood of lively ducklings.
Nursey approved the plan, finished Nat off with a
flannel night-gown, a drink of something warm and
1 6 Little Men
sweet, and then tucked him into one of the three little
beds standing in the room, where he lay looking like
a contented mummy, and feeling that nothing more in
the way of luxury could be offered him. Cleanliness
in itself was a new and delightful sensation ; flannel
gowns were unknown comforts in his world ; sips of
" good stuff" soothed his cough as pleasantly as kind
words did his lonely heart; and the feeling that some-
body cared for him made that plain room seem a sort
of heaven to the homeless child. It was like a cosy
dream ; and he often shut his eyes to see if it would
not vanish when he opened them again. It was too
pleasant to let him sleep, and he could not have done
so if he had tried, for in a few minutes one of the
peculiar institutions of Plumfield was revealed to his
astonished but appreciative eyes.
A momentary lull in the aquatic exercises was fol-
lowed by the sudden appearance of pillows flying in
all directions, hurled by white goblins, who came riot-
ing out of their beds. The battle raged in several
rooms, all down the upper hall, and even surged at
intervals into the nursery, when some hard-pressed
warrior took refuge there. No one seemed to mind
this explosion in the least ; no one forbade it, or even
looked surprised. Nursey went on hanging up towels,
and Mrs. Bhaer looked out clean clothes, as calmly
as if the most perfect order reigned. Nay, she even
chased one daring boy out of the room, and fired after
him the pillow he had slyly thrown at her.
" Won't they hurt 'em? " asked Nat, who lay laugh-
ing with all his might.
" Oh dear, no ! we always allow one pillow-fight
Saturday night. The cases are changed to-morrow;
Nat 1 7
and it gets up a glow after the boys' baths ; so I rather
like it myself," said Mrs. Bhaer, busy again among
her dozen pairs of socks.
" What a very nice school this is ! " observed Nat,
in a burst of admiration.
" It 's an odd one," laughed Mrs. Bhaer; " but you
see we don't believe in making children miserable by
too many rules, and too much study. I forbade night-
gown parties at first ; but, bless you, it was of no use.
I could no more keep those boys in their beds, than
so many jacks in the box. So I made an agreement
with them : I was to allow a fifteen-minute pillow-
fight, every Saturday night ; and they promised to go
properly to bed, every other night. I tried it, and it
worked well. If they don't keep their word, no frolic ;
if they do, I just turn the glasses round, put the lamps
in safe places, and let them rampage as much as they
like."
"It's a beautiful plan," said Nat, feeling that he
should like to join in the fray, but not venturing to
propose it the first night. So he lay enjoying the
spectacle, which certainly was a lively one.
Tommy Bangs led the assailing party, and Demi
defended his own room with a dogged courage, fine
to see, collecting pillows behind him as fast as they
were thrown, till the besiegers were out of ammuni-
tion, when they would charge upon him in a body,
and recover their arms. A few slight accidents oc-
curred, but nobody minded, and gave and took sound-
ing thwacks with perfect good humor, while pillows
flew like big snowflakes, till Mrs. Bhaer looked at her
watch, and called out
" Time is up, boys. Into bed, every man Jack, or
pay the forfeit ! ' 2
i 8 Little Men
" What is the forfeit? " asked Nat, sitting up in his
eagerness to know what happened to those wretches
who disobeyed this most peculiar, but public-spirited
schoolma'am.
" Lose their fun next time," answered Mrs. Bhaer.
" I give them five minutes to settle down, then put
out the lights, and expect order. They are honorable
lads, and they keep their word."
That was evident, for the battle ended as abruptly
as it began a parting shot or two, a final cheer, as
Demi fired the seventh pillow at the retiring foe, a few
challenges for next time, then order prevailed ; and
nothing but an occasional giggle, or a suppressed
whisper, broke the quiet which followed the Saturday-
night frolic, as Mother Bhaer kissed her new boy, and
left him to happy dreams of life at Plumfield.
CHAPTER II
THE BOYS
WHILE Nat takes a good long sleep, I will
tell my little readers something about
the boys, among whom he found himself
when he woke up.
To begin with our old friends. Franz was a tall
lad, of sixteen now, a regular German, big, blond, and
bookish, also very domestic, amiable, and musical.
His uncle was fitting him for college, and his aunt for
a happy home of his own hereafter, because she care-
fully fostered in him gentle manners, love of children,
respect for women, old and young, and helpful ways
about the house. He was her right-hand man on all
occasions, steady, kind, and patient ; and he loved
his merry aunt like a mother, for such she had tried
to be to him.
Emil was quite different, being quick-tempered,
restless, and enterprising, bent on going to sea, for
the blood of the old vikings stirred in his veins, and
could not be tamed. His uncle promised that he
should go when he was sixteen, and set him to
studying navigation, gave him stories of good and
famous admirals and heroes to read, and let him lead
the life of a frog in river, pond, and brook, when
lessons were done. His room looked like the cabin
20 Little Men
of a man-of-war, for every thing was nautical, mili-
tary, and ship shape. Captain Kyd was his delight,
and his favorite amusement was to rig up like that
piratical gentleman, and roar out sanguinary sea-
songs at the top of his voice. He would dance noth-
ing but sailors' hornpipes, rolled in his gait, and was
as nautical in conversation as his uncle would permit.
The boys called him " Commodore," and took great
pride in his fleet, which whitened the pond and
suffered disasters that would have daunted any com-
mander but a sea-struck boy.
Demi was one of the children who show plainly the
effect of intelligent love and care, for soul and body
worked harmoniously together. The natural refine-
ment which nothing but home influence can teach,
gave him sweet and simple manners : his mother had
cherished an innocent and loving heart in him ; his
father had watched over the physical growth of his
boy, and kept the little body straight and strong
on wholesome food and exercise and sleep, while
Grandpa March cultivated the little mind with the
tender wisdom of a modern Pythagoras, not task-
ing it with long, hard lessons, parrot-learned, but
helping it to unfold as naturally and beautifully as
sun and dew help roses bloom. He was not a per-
fect child, by any means, but his faults were of the
better sort; and being early taught the secret of self-
control, he was not left at the mercy of appetites and
passions, as some poor little mortals are, and then
punished for yielding to the temptations against
which they have no armor. A quiet, quaint boy
was Demi, serious, yet cheery, quite unconscious
that he was unusually bright and beautiful, yet quick
The Boys 2 i
to see and love intelligence or beauty in other
children. Very fond of books, and full of lively fan-
cies, born of a strong imagination and a spiritual
nature, these traits made his parents anxious to
balance them with useful knowledge and healthful
society, lest they should make him one of those pale
precocious children who amaze and delight a family
sometimes, and fade away like hot-house flowers,
because the young soul blooms too soon, and has
not a hearty body to root it firmly in the wholesome
soil of this world.
So Demi was transplanted to Plumfield, and took
so kindly to the life there, that Meg and John and
Grandpa felt satisfied that they had done well.
Mixing with other boys brought out the practical
side of him, roused his spirit, and brushed away the
pretty cobwebs he was so fond of spinning in that
little brain of his. To be sure, he rather shocked his
mother when he came home, by banging doors, say-
ing " by George ' emphatically, and demanding tall
thick boots " that clumped like papa's." But John
rejoiced over him, laughed at his explosive remarks,
got the boots, and said contentedly, " He is doing
well ; so let him clump. I want my son to be a
manly boy, and this temporary roughness won't hurt
him. We can polish him up by and by ; and as for
learning, he will pick that up as pigeons do peas.
So don't hurry him."
Daisy was as sunshiny and charming as ever, with
all sorts of little womanlinesses budding in her, for
she was like her gentle mother, and delighted in
domestic things. She had a family of dolls, whom
she brought up in the most exemplary manner ; she
22 Little Men
could not get on without her little work-basket and
bits of sewing, which she did so nicely, that Demi
frequently pulled out his handkerchief to display her
neat stitches, and Baby Josy had a flannel petticoat
beautifully made by Sister Daisy. She liked to
quiddle about the china-closet, prepare the salt-
cellars, put the spoons straight on the table ; and
every day went round the parlor with her brush,
dusting chairs and tables. Demi called her a " Betty,"
but was very glad to have her keep his things in
order, lend him her nimble fingers in all sorts of
work, and help him with his lessons, for they kept
abreast there, and had no thought of rivalry.
The love between them was as strong as ever ; and
no one could laugh Demi out of his affectionate ways
with Daisy. He fought her battles valiantly, and
never could understand why boys should be ashamed
to say " right out," that they loved their sisters.
Daisy adored her twin, thought "my brother' the
most remarkable boy in the world, and every morn-
ing, in her little wrapper, trotted to tap at his door
with a motherly u Get up, my dear, it 's 'most
breakfast time ; and here 's your clean collar."
Rob was an energetic morsel of a boy, who seemed
to have discovered the secret of perpetual motion, for
he never was still. Fortunately, he was not mischiev-
ous, nor very brave ; so he kept out of trouble pretty
well, and vibrated between father and mother like an
affectionate little pendulum with a lively tick, for Rob
was a chatterbox.
Teddy was too young to play a very important
part in the affairs of Plumfield, yet he had his little
sphere, and filled it beautifully. Every one felt the
The Boys 23
need of a pet at times, and Baby was always ready
to accommodate, for kissing and cuddling suited him
excellently. Mrs. Jo seldom stirred without him ;
so he had his little finger in all the domestic pies,
and every one found them all the better for it, for
they believed in babies at Plumfield.
Dick Brown, and Adolphus or Dolly Pettingill,
were two eight-year-olds. Dolly stuttered badly, but
was gradually getting over it, for no one was allowed
to mock him and Mr. Bhaer tried to cure it, by mak-
ing him talk slowly. Dolly was a good little lad,
quite uninteresting and ordinary, but he flourished
here, and went through his daily duties and pleasures
with placid content and propriety.
Dick Brown's affliction was a crooked back, yet he
bore his burden so cheerfully, that Demi once asked
in his queer way, " Do humps make people good-
natured ? I 'd like one if they do." Dick was always
merry, and did his best to be like other boys, for a
plucky spirit lived in the feeble little body. When he
first came, he was very sensitive about his misfortune,
but soon learned to forget it, for no one dared remind
him of it, after Mr. Bhaer had punished one boy for
laughing at him.
" God don't care ; for my soul is straight if my back
is n't," sobbed Dick to his tormentor on that occasion ;
and, by cherishing this idea, the Bhaers soon led him
to believe that people also loved his soul, and did not
mind his body, except to pity and help him to bear it.
Playing menagerie once with the others, some one
said, " What animal will you be, Dick? '
" Oh, I 'm the dromedary ; don't you see the hump
on my back? " was the laughing answer.
24 Little Men
" So you are, my nice little one that don't carry
loads, but marches by the elephant first in the pro-
cession," said Demi, who was arranging the spectacle.
" I hope others will be as kind to the poor dear as
my boys have learned to be," said Mrs. Jo, quite satis-
fied with the success of her teaching, as Dick ambled
past her, looking like a very happy, but a very feeble
little dromedary, beside stout Stuffy, who did the
elephant with ponderous propriety.
Jack Ford was a sharp, rather a sly lad, who was
sent to this school, because it was cheap. Many men
would have thought him a smart boy, but Mr. Bhaer
did not like his way of illustrating that Yankee word,
and thought his unboyish keenness and money-loving
as much of an affliction as Dolly's stutter, or Dick's
hump.
Ned Barker was like a thousand other boys of four-
teen, all legs, blunder, and bluster. Indeed the family
called him the "" Blunderbuss," and always expected
to see him tumble over the chairs, bump against the
tables, and knock down any small articles near him.
He bragged a good deal about what he could do, but
seldom did any thing to prove it, was not brave, and
a little given to tale-telling. He was apt to bully the
small boys, and flatter the big ones, and without be-
ing at all bad, was just the sort of fellow who could
very easily be led astray.
George Cole had been spoilt by an over-indulgent
mother, who stuffed him with sweetmeats till he was
sick, and then thought him too delicate to study, so
that at twelve years old, he was a pale, puffy boy,
dull, fretful, and lazy. A friend persuaded her to
send him to Plumfield, and there he soon got waked
The Boys 25
up, for sweet things were seldom allowed, much
exercise required, and study made so pleasant,
that Stuffy was gently lured along, till he quite
amazed his anxious mamma by his improvement,
and convinced her that there was really something
remarkable in Plumfield air.
Billy Ward was what the Scotch tenderly call an
" innocent," for though thirteen years old, he was like
a child of six. He had been an unusually intelligent
boy, and his father had hurried him on too fast, giving
him all sorts of hard lessons, keeping him at his books
six hours a day, and expecting him to absorb knowl-
edge as a Strasburg goose does the food crammed
down its throat. He thought he was doing his duty,
but he nearly killed the boy, for a fever gave the
poor child a sad holiday, and when he recovered,
the overtasked brain gave out, and Billy's mind was
like a slate over which a sponge has passed, leaving
it blank.
It was a terrible lesson to his ambitious father ; he
could not bear the sight of his promising child,
changed to a feeble idiot, and he sent him away to
Plumfield, scarcely hoping that he could be helped,
but sure that he would be kindly treated. Quite
docile and harmless was Billy, and it was pitiful to
see how hard he tried to learn, as if groping dimly
after the lost knowledge which had cost him so much.
Day after day, he pored over the alphabet, proudly
said A and B, and thought that he knew them, but
on the morrow they were gone, and all the work was
to be done over again. Mr. Bhaer had infinite pa-
tience with him, and kept on in spite of the apparent
hopelessness of the task, not caring for book lessons,
26 Little Men
but trying gently to clear away the mists from the
darkened mind, and give it back intelligence enough
to make the boy less a burden and an affliction.
Mrs. Bhaer strengthened his health by every aid
she could invent, and the boys all pitied and were
kind to him. He did not like their active plays, but
would sit for hours watching the doves, would dig
holes for Teddy till even that ardent grubber was
satisfied, or follow Silas, the man, from place to place
seeing him work, for honest Si was very good to him,
and though he forgot his letters Billy remembered
friendly faces.
Tommy Bangs was the scapegrace of the school,
and the most trying little scapegrace that ever lived.
As full of mischief as a monkey, yet so good-hearted
that one could not help forgiving his tricks ; so
scatter-brained that words went by him like the wind,
yet so penitent for every misdeed, that it was impos-
sible to keep sober when he vowed tremendous vows
of reformation, or proposed all sorts of queer punish-
ments to be inflicted upon himself. Mr. and Mrs.
Bhaer lived in a state of preparation for any mishap,
from the breaking of Tommy's own neck, to the
blowing up of the entire family with gunpowder ; and
Nursey had a particular drawer in which she kept
bandages, plasters, and salves for his especial use, for
Tommy was always being brought in half dead ; but
nothing ever killed him, and he rose from every
downfall with redoubled vigor.
The first day he came, he chopped the top off one
finger in the hay-cutter, and during the week, fell
from the shed roof, was chased by an angry hen who
tried to pick his eyes out because he examined her
The Boys 27
chickens, got run away with, and had his ears boxed
violently by Asia, who caught him luxuriously skim-
ming a pan of cream with half a stolen pie.
Undaunted, however, by any failures or rebuffs, this
indomitable youth went on amusing himself with all
sorts of tricks till no one felt safe. If he did not
know his lessons, he always had some droll excuse
to offer, and as he was usually clever at his books,
and as bright as a button in composing answers when
he did not know them, he got on pretty well at school.
But out of school, Ye gods and little fishes! how
Tommy did carouse !
He wound fat Asia up in her own clothes line
against the post, and left her there to fume and
scold for half an hour one busy Monday morning.
He dropped a hot cent down Mary Ann's back as
that pretty maid was waiting at table one day when
there were gentlemen to dinner, whereat the poor
girl upset the soup and rushed out of the room in
dismay, leaving the family to think that she had gone
mad. He fixed a pail of water up in a tree, with a
bit of ribbon fastened to the handle, and when Daisy,
attracted by the gay streamer, tried to pull it down,
she got a douche bath that spoiled her clean frock
and hurt her little feelings very much. He put rough
white pebbles in the sugar-bowl when his grand-
mother came to tea, and the poor old lady won-
dered why they did n't melt in her cup, but was
too polite to say anything. He passed round snuff
in church so that five of the boys sneezed with such
violence they had to go out. He dug paths in winter
time, and then privately watered them so that people
should tumble down. He drove poor Silas nearly wild
28 Little Men
by hanging his big boots in conspicuous places, for his
feet were enormous, and he was very much ashamed
of them. He persuaded confiding little Dolly to tie
a thread to one of his loose teeth, and leave the string
hanging from his mouth when he went to sleep, so
that Tommy could pull it out without his feeling the
dreaded operation. But the tooth would n't come
at the first tweak, and poor Dolly woke up in great
anguish of spirit, and lost all faith in Tommy from
that day forth. The last prank had been to give the
hens bread soaked in rum, which made them tipsy
and scandalized all the other fowls, for the respect-
able old biddies went staggering about, pecking and
clucking in the most maudlin manner, while the fam-
ily were convulsed with laughter at their antics, till
Daisy took pity on them and shut them up in the
hen-house to sleep off their intoxication.
These were the boys, and they lived together as
happily as twelve lads could, studying and playing,
working and squabbling, fighting faults and cultivat-
ing virtues in the good old-fashioned way. Boys at
other schools probably learned more from books, but
less of that better wisdom which makes good men.
Latin, Greek, and mathematics were all very well,
but in Professor Bhaer's opinion, self-knowledge, self-
help, and self-control were more important, and he
tried to teach them carefully. People shook their
heads sometimes at his ideas, even while they owned
that the boys improved wonderfully in manners and
morals. But then, as Mrs. Jo said to Nat, it was an
"odd school."
CHAPTER III
SUNDAY
r l~~"^HE moment the bell rang next morning Nat
flew out of bed, and dressed himself with
M great satisfaction in the suit of clothes he
found on the chair. They were not new, being half-
worn garments of one of the well-to-do boys ; but
Mrs. Bhaer kept all such cast-oft' feathers for the
picked robins who strayed into her nest. They were
hardly on when Tommy appeared in a high state of
clean collar, and escorted Nat down to breakfast.
The sun was shining into the dining-room on the
well-spread table, and the flock of hungry, hearty lads
who gathered round it. Nat observed that they were
much more orderly than they had been the night be-
fore, and every one stood silently behind his chair
while little Rob, standing beside his father at the
head of the table, folded his hands, reverently bent
his curly head, and softly repeated a short grace in
the devout German fashion, which Mr. Bhaer loved
and taught his little son to honor. Then they all
sat clown to enjoy the Sunday-morning breakfast of
coffee, steak, and baked potatoes, instead of the
bread and milk fare with which they usually satis-
fied their young appetites. There was much pleas-
ant talk while the knives and forks rattled briskly,
30 Little Men
for certain Sunday lessons were to be learned, the
Sunday walk settled, and plans for the week dis-
cussed. As he listened, Nat thought it seemed as
if this day must be a very pleasant one, for he loved
quiet, and there was a cheerful sort of hush over
every thing that pleased him very much; because,
in spite of his rough life, the boy possessed the
sensitive nerves which belong to a music-loving
nature.
" Now, my lads, get your morning jobs done, and
let me find you ready for church when the 'bus comes
round," said Father Bhaer, and set the example by
going into the school-room to get books ready for
the morrow.
Every one scattered to his or her task, for each
had some little daily duty, and was expected to per-
form it faithfully. Some brought wood and water,
brushed the steps, or ran errands for Mrs. Bhaer.
Others fed the pet animals, and did chores about
the barn with Franz. Daisy washed the cups, and
Demi wiped them, for the twins liked to work to-
gether, and Demi had been taught to make himself
useful in the little house at home. Even Baby
Teddy had his small job to do, and trotted to and
fro, putting napkins away, and pushing chairs into
their places. For half an hour the lads buzzed about
like a hive of bees, then the 'bus drove round, Father
Bhaer and Franz with the eight older boys piled in,
and away they went for a three mile drive to church
in town.
Because of the troublesome cough Nat preferred
to stay at home with the four small boys, and
spent a happy morning in Mrs. Bhaer's room, lis-
Sunday 3 i
tening to the stories she read them, learning the
hymn she taught them, and then quietly employ-
ing himself pasting pictures into an old ledger.
" This is my Sunday closet," she said, showing him
shelves filled with picture-books, paint-boxes, archi-
tectural blocks, little diaries, and materials for letter-
writing. " I want my boys to love Sunday, to find it a
peaceful, pleasant day, when they can rest from com-
mon study and play, yet enjoy quiet pleasures, and
learn, in simple ways, lessons more important than
any taught in school. Do you understand me? ' she
asked, watching Nat's attentive face.
" You mean to be good? " he said, after hesitating
a minute.
" Yes; to be good, and to love to be good. It is
hard work sometimes, I know very well ; but we all
help one another, and so we get on. This is one of
the ways in which I try to help my boys," and she
took down a thick book, which seemed half-full of
writing, and opened at a page on which there was
one word at the top.
" Why, that 's my name ! " cried Nat, looking both
surprised and interested.
" Yes ; I have a page for each boy. I keep a little
account of how he gets on through the week, and
Sunday night I show him the record. If it is bad I
am sorry and disappointed, if it is good I am glad
and proud ; but, whichever it is, the boys know I
want to help them, and they try to do their best for
love of me and Father Bhaer."
" I should think they would," said Nat, catching a
glimpse of Tommy's name opposite his own, and
wondering what was written under it.
32 Little Men
Mrs. Bhaer saw his eye on the words, and shook
her head, saying, as she turned a leaf
" No, I don't show my records to any but the one
to whom each belongs. I call this my conscience
book ; and only you and I will ever know what is to
be written on the page below your name. Whether
you will be pleased or ashamed to read it next Sun-
day depends on yourself. I think it will be a good
report; at any rate, I shall try to make things easy
for you in this new place, and shall be quite con-
tented if you keep our few rules, live happily with
the boys, and learn something."
" I '11 try, ma'am ; ' and Nat's thin face flushed up
with the earnestness of his desire to make Mrs. Bhaer
" glad and proud," not " sorry and disappointed."
" It must be a great deal of trouble to write about so
many," he added, as she shut her book with an en-
couraging pat on the shoulder.
" Not to me, for I really don't know which I like
best, writing or boys," she said, laughing to see Nat
stare with astonishment at the last item. " Yes, I
know many people think boys are a nuisance, but that
is because they don't understand them. I do ; and I
never saw the boy yet whom I could not get on
capitally with after I had once found the soft spot in
his heart. Bless me, I could n't get on at all without
my flock of dear, noisy, naughty, harum-scarum little
lads, could I, my Teddy?" and Mrs. Bhaer hugged
the young rogue, just in time to save the big inkstand
from going into his pocket.
Nat, who had never heard anything like this before,
really did not know whether Mother Bhaer was a trifle
crazy, or the most delightful woman he had ever met.
Sunday 33
He rather inclined to the latter opinion, in spite of
her peculiar tastes, for she had a way of filling up a
fellow's plate before he asked, of laughing at his jokes,
gently tweaking him by the ear, or clapping him on
the shoulder, that Nat found very engaging.
" Now, I think you would like to go into the school-
room and practise some of the hymns we are to sing
to-night," she said, rightly guessing the thing of all
others that he wanted to do.
Alone with the beloved violin and the music-book
propped up before him in the sunny window, while
Spring beauty filled the world outside, and Sabbath
silence reigned within, Nat enjoyed an hour or two of
genuine happiness, learning the sweet old tunes, and
forgetting the hard past in the cheerful present.
When the church-goers came back and dinner was
over, every one read, wrote letters home, said their
Sunday lessons, or talked quietly to one another,
sitting here and there about the house. At three
o'clock the entire family turned out to walk, for all
the active young bodies must have exercise ; and in
these walks the active young minds were taught to
see and love the providence of God in the beautiful
miracles which Nature was working before their eyes.
Mr. Bhaer always went with them, and in his simple,
fatherly way, found for his flock " Sermons in stones,
books in the running brooks, and good in every thing."
Mrs. Bhaer with Daisy and her own two boys drove
into town, to pay the weekly visit to Grandma, which
was busy Mother Bhaer's one holiday and greatest
pleasure. Nat was not strong enough for the long
walk, and asked to stay at home with Tommy,
who kindly offered to do the honors of Plumfield.
3
34 Little Men
" You Ve seen the house, so come out and have a
look at the garden, and the barn, and the menagerie,"
said Tommy, when they were left alone with Asia, to
see that they did n't get into mischief; for, though
Tommy was one of the best-meaning boys who ever
adorned knickerbockers, accidents of the most dire-
ful nature were always happening to him, no one
could exactly tell how.
" What is your menagerie?' asked Nat, as they
trotted along the drive that encircled the house.
" We all have pets, you see, and we keep 'em in the
corn-barn, and call it the menagerie. Here you are.
Isn't my guinea-pig a beauty?" and Tommy proudly
presented one of the ugliest specimens of that pleas-
ing animal that Nat ever saw.
" I know a boy with a dozen of 'em, and he said
he 'd give me one, only I had n't any place to keep it,
so I could n't have it. It was white, with black spots,
a regular rouser, and maybe I could get it for you if
you 'd like it," said Nat, feeling it would be a delicate
return for Tommy's attentions.
" I 'd like it ever so much, and I '11 give you this
one, and they can live together if they don't fight.
Those white mice are Rob's, Franz gave 'em to him.
The rabbits are Ned's, and the bantams outside are
Stuffy 's. That box thing is Demi's turtle-tank, only
he has n't begun to get 'em yet. Last year he had
sixty-two, whackers some of 'em. He stamped one
of 'em with his name and the year, and let it go ; and
he says maybe he will find it ever so long after and
know it. He read about a turtle being found that
had a mark on it that showed it must be hundreds of
years old. Demi 's such a funny chap."
Sunday 35
" What is in this box? " asked Nat, stopping before
a large deep one, half-full of earth.
" Oh, that 's Jack Ford's worm-shop. He digs
heaps of 'em and keeps 'em here, and when we want
any to go a fishing with, we buy some of him. It
saves lots of trouble, only he charged too much for
'em. Why, last time we traded I had to pay two
cents a dozen, and then got little ones. Jack 's mean
sometimes, and I told him I 'd dig for myself if he
did n't lower his prices. Now, I own two hens, those
gray ones with top knots, first-rate ones they are too,
and I sell Mrs. Bhaer the eggs, but I never ask her
more than twenty-five cents a dozen, never ! I 'd be
ashamed to do it," cried Tommy, with a glance of
scorn at the worm-shop.
" Who owns the dogs? " asked Nat, much interested
in these commercial transactions, and feeling that T.
Bangs was a man whom it would be a privilege and a
pleasure to patronize.
" The big dog is Emil's. His name is Christopher
Columbus. Mrs. Bhacr named him because she likes
to say Christopher Columbus, and no one minds it if
she means the dog," answered Tommy, in , the tone of
a showman displaying his menagerie. " The white
pup is Rob's, and the yellow one is Teddy's. A man
was going to drown them in our pond, and Pa Bhaer
would n't let him. They do well enough for the little
chaps, I don't think much of 'em myself. Their names
are Castor and Pollux."
" I 'd like Toby the donkey best, if I could have
anything, it 's so nice to ride, and he 's so little and
good," said Nat, remembering the weary tramps he
had taken on his own tired feet.
Little Men
" Mr. Laurie sent him out to Mrs. Bhaer, so she
should n't carry Teddy on her back when we go to
walk. We 're all fond of Toby, and he 's a first-rate
donkey, sir. Those pigeons belong to the whole lot
of us, we each have our pet one, and go shares in all
the little ones as they come along. Squabs are great
fun ; there ain't any now, but you can go up and
take a look at the old fellows, while I see if Cockletop
and Granny have laid any eggs."
Nat climbed up a ladder, put his head through a
trap door and took a long look at the pretty doves
billing and cooing in their spacious loft. Some on
their nests, some bustling in and out, and some sit-
ting at their doors, while many went flying from the
sunny housetop to the straw-strewn farmyard, where
six sleek cows were placidly ruminating.
" Everybody has got something but me. I wish I
had a dove, or a hen, or even a turtle, all my own,"
thought Nat, feeling very poor as he saw the interest-
ing treasures of the other boys. " How do you get
these things?" he asked, when he joined Tommy in
the barn.
" We find 'em, or buy 'em, or folks give 'em to us.
My father sends me mine ; but as soon as I get egg
money enough, I 'm going to buy a pair of ducks.
There's a nice little pond for 'em behind the barn,
and people pay well for duck-eggs, and the little
duckies are pretty, and it's fun to see 'em swim,"
said Tommy, with the air of a millionnaire.
Nat sighed, for he had neither father nor money,
nothing in the wide world but an old empty pocket-
book, and the skill that lay in his ten finger tips.
Tommy seemed to understand the question and the
Sunday 37
sigh which followed his answer, for after a moment of
deep thought, he suddenly broke out, -
" Look here, I '11 tell you what I '11 do. If you will
hunt eggs for me, I hate it, I '11 give you one egg out
of every dozen. You keep account, and when you Ve
had twelve, Mother Bhaer will give you twenty-five
cents for 'em, and then you can buy what you like,
don't you see? '
" I '11 do it ! What a kind feller you are, Tommy ! '
cried Nat, quite dazzled by this brilliant offer.
" Pooh ! that is not anything. You begin now
and rummage the barn, and I'll wait here for you.
Granny is cackling, so you 're sure to find one some-
where," and Tommy threw himself down on the hay
with a luxurious sense of having made a good bar-
gain, and done a friendly thing.
Nat joyfully began his search, and went rustling
from loft to loft till he found two fine eggs, one hid-
den under a beam, and the other in an old peck
measure, which Mrs. Cockletop had appropriated.
" You may have one and I '11 have the other, that
will just make up my last dozen, and to-morrow we '11
start fresh. Here, you chalk your accounts up near
mine, and then we '11 be all straight," said Tommy,
showing a row of mysterious figures on the smooth
side of an old winnowing machine.
With a delightful sense of importance, the proud
possessor of one egg opened his account with his
friend, who laughingly wrote above the figures these
imposing words,
"T. Bangs & Co."
Poor Nat found them so fascinating that he was
with difficulty persuaded to go and deposit his first
Little Men
piece of portable property in Asia's store-room.
Then they went on again, and having made the
acquaintance of the two horses, six cows, three pigs,
and one Alderney " Bossy," as calves are called in
New England, Tommy took Nat to a certain old
willow-tree that overhung a noisy little brook. From
the fence it was an easy scramble into a wide niche
between the three big branches, which had been cut
off to send out from year to year a crowd of slender
twigs, till a green canopy rustled overhead. Here
little seats had been fixed, and in a hollow place a
closet made big enough to hold a book or two, a
dismantled boat, and several half-finished whistles.
" This is Demi's and my private place ; we made it,
and nobody can come up unless we let 'em, except
Daisy, we don't mind her," said Tommy, as Nat
looked with delight from the babbling brown water
below to the green arch above, where bees were
making a musical murmur as they feasted on the long
yellow blossoms that filled the air with sweetness.
" Oh, it 's just beautiful ! " cried Nat. " I do hope
you '11 let me up sometimes. I never saw such a
nice place in all my life. I 'd like to be a bird, and
live here always. '
" It is pretty nice. You can come if Demi don't
mind, and I guess he won't, because he said last
night that he liked you."
" Did he ? " and Nat smiled with pleasure, for
Demi's regard seemed to be valued by all the boys,
partly because he was Father Bhaer's nephew, and
partly because he was such a sober, conscientious
little fellow.
"Yes; Demi likes quiet chaps, and I guess he
Sunday 39
and you will get on if you care about reading as
he does."
Poor Nat's flush of pleasure deepened to a pain-
ful scarlet at those last words, and he stammered
out,
" I can't read very well ; I never had any time ; I
was always fiddling round, you know."
" I don't love it myself, but I can do it well enough
when I want to," said Tommy, after a surprised look,
which said as plainly as words, " A boy twelve years
old and can't read ! '
" I can read music, anyway," added Nat, rather
ruffled at having to confess his ignorance.
" I can't ; " and Tommy spoke in a respectful tone,
which emboldened Nat to say firmly, -
" I mean to study real hard and learn every thing
I can, for I never had a chance before. Does Mr.
Bhaer give hard lessons?'
" No, he is n't a bit cross ; he sort of explains and
gives you a boost over the hard places. Some folks
don't; my other master did n't. If we missed a word,
did n't we get raps on the head ! ' and Tommy
rubbed his own pate as if it tingled yet with the
liberal supply of raps, the memory of which was the
only thing he brought away after a year with his
" other master."
" I think I could read this," said Nat, who had
been examining the books.
" Read a bit, then ; I '11 help you," resumed Tommy,
with a patronizing air.
So Nat did his best, and floundered through a page
with many friendly " boosts " from Tommy, who told
him he would soon " go it " as well as anybody.
40 Little Men
Then they sat and talked boy-fashion about all sorts
of things, among others, gardening ; for Nat, looking
down from his -perch, asked what was planted in the
many little patches lying below them on the other
side of the brook.
" These are our farms," said Tommy. " We each
have our own patch, and raise what we like in it, only
we have to choose different things, and can't change
till the crop is in, and we must keep it in order all
summer.'
" What are you going to raise this year? "
" Wai, I cattlczted to hev beans, as they are about
the easiest crop a-goin'."
Nat could not help laughing, for Tommy had
pushed back his hat, put his hands in his pockets,
and drawled out his words in unconscious imitation
of Silas, the man who managed the place for Mr.
Bhaer.
" Come, you need n't laugh ; beans are ever so
much easier than corn or potatoes. I tried melons
last year, but the bugs were a bother, and the old
things would n't get ripe before the frost, so I did n't
have but one good water and two little * mush mel-
lions/ said Tommy, relapsing into a " Silasism '
with the last word.
" Corn looks pretty growing," said Nat, politely, to
atone for his laugh.
" Yes, but you have to hoe it over and over again.
Now, six weeks' beans only have to be done once or
so, and they get ripe soon. I'm going to try 'em, for
I spoke first. Stuffy wanted 'em, but he 's got to take
peas ; they only have to be picked, and he ought to
do it, he eats such a lot."
Sunday 41
"I wonder if I shall have a garden?' said Nat,
thinking that even corn-hoeing must be pleasant
work.
" Of course you will," said a voice from below, and
there was Mr. Bhaer returned from his walk, and come
to find them, for he managed to have a little talk with
every one of the lads sometime during the day, and
found that these chats gave them a good start for
the coming week.
Sympathy is a sweet thing, and it worked wonders
here, for each boy knew that Father Bhaer was inter-
ested in him, and some were readier to open their
hearts to him than to a woman, especially the older
ones, who liked to talk over their hopes and plans,
man to man. When sick or in trouble they instinc-
tively turned to Mrs. Jo, while the little ones made
her their mother-confessor on all occasions.
In descending from their nest, Tommy fell into the
brook ; being used to it, he calmly picked himself out
and retired to the house to be dried. This left Nat to
Mr. Bhaer, which was just what he wished, and, during
the stroll they took among the garden plots, he won the
lad's heart by giving him a little " farm," and discuss-
ing crops with him as gravely as if the food for the
family depended on the harvest. From this pleasant
topic they went to others, and Nat had many new and
helpful thoughts put into a mind that received them
as gratefully as the thirsty earth had received the
warm spring rain. All supper time he brooded over
them, often fixing his eyes on Mr. Bhaer with an
inquiring look, that seemed to say, "I like that, do
it again, sir." I don't know whether the man under-
stood the child's mute language or not, but when the
42 Little Men
boys were all gathered together in Mrs. Bhaer's par-
lor for the Sunday evening talk, he chose a subject
which might have been suggested by the walk in the
garden.
As he looked about him Nat thought it seemed
more like a great family than a school, for the lads
were sitting in a wide half-circle round the fire, some
on chairs, some on the rug, Daisy and Demi on the
knees of Uncle Fritz, and Rob snugly stowed away in
the back of his mother's easy-chair, where he could
nod unseen if the talk got beyond his depth. Every
one looked quite comfortable, and listened atten-
tively, for the long walk made rest agreeable, and as
every boy there knew that he would be called upon
for his views, he kept his wits awake to be ready with
an answer.
" Once upon a time," began Mr. Bhaer, in the dear
old-fashioned way, " there was a great and wise gar-
dener who had the largest garden ever seen. A won-
derful and lovely place it was, and he watched over it
with the greatest skill and care, and raised all man-
ner of excellent and useful things. But weeds would
grow even in this fine garden ; often the ground was
bad and the good seeds sown in it would not spring
up. He had many under gardeners to help him.
Some did their duty and earned the rich wages he
gave them ; but others neglected their parts and let
them run to waste, which displeased him much. But
he was very patient, and for thousands and thousands
of years he worked and waited for his great harvest."
" He must have been pretty old," said Demi, who
was looking straight into Uncle Fritz's face, as if to
catch every word.
Sunday 43
" Hush, Demi, it 's a fairy story," whispered
Daisy.
" No, I think it 's a arrygory," said Demi.
" What is a arrygory ? ' called out Tommy, who
was of an inquiring turn.
" Tell him, Demi, if you can, and don't use words
unless you are quite sure you know what they mean,"
said Mr. Bhaer.
" I do know, Grandpa told me ! A fable is a arry-
gory ; it 's a story that means something. My ' Story
without an end ' is one, because the child in it
means a soul; don't it, Aunty?" cried Demi, eager to
prove himself right.
" That 's it, dear ; and Uncle's story is an allegory, I
am quite sure ; so listen and see what it means,"
returned Mrs. Jo, who always took part in whatever
was going on, and enjoyed it as much as any boy
among them.
Demi composed himself, and Mr. Bhaer went on in
his best English, for he had improved much in the
last five years, and said the boys did it.
" This great gardener gave a dozen or so of little
plots to one of his servants, and told him to do his
best and see what he could raise. Now this servant
was not rich, nor wise, nor very good, but he wanted
to help because the gardener had been very kind to
him in many ways. So he gladly took the little plots
and fell to work. They were all sorts of shapes and
sizes, and some were very good soil, some rather
stony, and all of them needed much care, for in the
rich soil the weeds grew fast, and in the poor soil
there were many stones."
" What was growing in them besides the weeds,
44 Little Men
and stones?" asked Nat; so interested, he forgot his
shyness and spoke before them all.
" Flowers," said Mr. Bhaer, with a kind look.
" Even the roughest, most neglected little bed had a
bit of heart's-ease or a sprig of mignonette in it.
One had roses, sweet peas, and daisies in it," here
he pinched the plump cheek of the little girl leaning
on his arm. " Another had all sorts of curious plants
in it, bright pebbles, a vine that went climbing up
like Jack's bean-stalk, and many good seeds just
beginning to sprout ; for, you see, this bed had been
taken fine care of by a wise old man, who had worked
in gardens of this sort all his life."
At this part of the " arrygory," Demi put his head
on one side like an inquisitive bird, and fixed his
bright eye on his uncle's face, as if he suspected
something and was on the watch. But Mr. Bhaer
looked perfectly innocent, and went on glancing from
one young face to another, with a grave, wistful look,
that said much to his wife, who knew how earnestly he
desired to do his duty in these little garden plots.
" As I tell you, some of these beds were easy to
cultivate, that means to take care of, Daisy, and
others were very hard. There was one particularly
sunshiny little bed, that might have been full of
fruits and vegetables as well as flowers, only it
would n't take any pains, and when the man sowed,
well, we '11 say melons in this bed, they came to
nothing, because the little bed neglected them. The
man was sorry, and kept on trying, though every
time the crop failed, all the bed said, was, ' I
forgot. ' "
Here a general laugh broke out, and every one
Sunday 45
looked at Tommy, who had pricked up his ears at
the word " melons," and hung down his head at the
sound of his favorite excuse.
" I knew he meant us ! " cried Demi, clapping his
hands. " You are the man, and we are the little gar-
dens; aren't we, Uncle Fritz?'
" You have guessed it. Now each of you tell me
what crop I shall try to sow in you this spring, so
that next autumn I may get a good harvest out of
my twelve, no, thirteen, plots," said Mr. Bhaer, nod-
ding at Nat as he corrected himself.
" You can't sow corn and beans and peas in us.
Unless you mean we are to eat a great many and
get fat," said Stuffy, with a sudden brightening of
his round, dull face as the pleasing idea occurred to
him.
" He don't mean that kind of seeds. He means
things to make us good ; and the weeds are faults,"
cried Demi, who usually took the lead in these talks,
because he was used to this sort of thing, and liked
it very much.
" Yes, each of you think what you need most, and
tell me, and I will help you to grow it; only, you
must do your best, or you will turn out like Tommy's
melons, all leaves and no fruit. I will begin with
the oldest, and ask the mother what she will have in
her plot, for we are all parts of the beautiful garden,
and may have rich harvests for our Master if we
love Him enough," said Father Bhaer.
" I shall devote the whole of my plot to the
largest crop of patience I can get, for that is what I
need most," said Mrs. Jo, so soberly that the lads fell
to thinking in good earnest what they should say
4 6
Little Men
when their turns came, and some among them felt a
twinge of remorse, that they had helped to use up
Mother Bhaer's stock of patience so fast.
Franz wanted perseverance, Tommy steadiness,
Ned went in for good temper, Daisy for industry,
Demi for " as much wiseness as Grandpa," and Nat
timidly said he wanted so many things he would let
Mr. Bhaer choose for him. The others chose much
the same things, and patience, good temper, and gen-
erosity seemed the favorite crops. One boy wished
to like to get up early, but did not know what name
to give that sort of seed ; and poor Stuffy sighed
out, -
" I wish I loved my lessons as much as I do my
dinner, but I can't."
" We will plant self-denial, and hoe it and water it,
and make it grow so well that next Christmas no one
will get ill by eating too much dinner. If you exer-
cise your mind, George, it will get hungry just as
your body does, and you will love books almost as
much as my philosopher here," said Mr. Bhaer ; add-
ing, as he stroked the hair off Demi's fine forehead,
" You are greedy also, my son, and you like to stuff
your little mind full of fairy tales and fancies, as well
as George likes to fill his little stomach with cake
and candy. Both are bad, and I want you to try
something better. Arithmetic is not half so pleasant
as ' Arabian Nights,' I know, but it is a very useful
thing, and now is the time to learn it, else you will
be ashamed and sorry by and by."
" But, ' Harry and Lucy,' and ' Frank/ are not fairy
books, and they are all full of barometers, and bricks,
and shoeing horses, and useful things, and I 'm fond
Sunday 47
of them; ain't I, Daisy?' said Demi, anxious to
defend himself.
" So they are ; but I find you reading ' Roland and
Maybird ' a great deal oftener than * Harry and Lucy/
and I think you are not half as fond of * Frank ' as
you are of ' Sinbad.' Come, I shall make a little
bargain with you both, George shall eat but three
times a day, and you shall read but one story-book
a week, and I will give you the new cricket-ground ;
only, you must promise to play in it," said Uncle
Fritz in his persuasive way, for Stuffy hated to run
about, and Demi was always reading in play
hours.
" But we don't like cricket," said Demi.
" Perhaps not now, but you will when you know it.
Besides, you do like to be generous, and the other
boys want to play, and you can give them the new
ground if you choose."
This was taking them both on the right side, and
they agreed to the bargain, to the great satisfaction
of the rest.
There was a little more talk about the gardens, and
then they all sang together. The band delighted Nat,
for Mrs. Bhaer played the piano, Franz the flute, Mr.
Bhaer a bass viol, and he himself the violin. A very
simple little concert, but all seemed to enjoy it, and
old Asia, sitting in the corner, joined at times with
the sweetest voice of any, for in this family, master
and servant, old and young, black and white, shared
in the Sunday song, which went up to the Father of
them all. After this they each shook hands with
Father Bhaer ; Mother Bhaer kissed them every one
from sixteen-year-old Franz to little Rob, who kept
48 Little Men
the tip of her nose for his own particular kisses, and
then they trooped up to bed.
The light of the shaded lamp that burned in the
nursery shone softly on a picture hanging at the foot
of Nat's bed. There were several others on the walls,
but the boy thought there must be something pecu-
liar about this one, for it had a graceful frame of
moss and cones about it, and on a little bracket under-
neath stood a vase of wild flowers freshly gathered
from the spring woods. It was the most beautiful
picture of them all, and Nat lay looking at it, dimly
feeling what it meant, and wishing he knew all
about it.
" That's my picture," said a little voice in the
room. Nat popped up his head, and there was
Demi in his night-gown pausing on his way back
from Aunt Jo's chamber, whither he had gone to get
a cot for a cut finger.
" What is he doing to the children? " asked Nat.
" That is Christ, the Good Man, and He is blessing
the children. Don't you know about Him?" said
Demi, wondering.
" Not much, but I'd like to, He looks so kind,"
answered Nat, whose chief knowledge of the Good
Man consisted in hearing His name taken in vain.
" I know all about it, and I like it very much,
because it is true," said Demi.
" Who told you ?"
" My Grandpa, he knows every thing, and tells the
best stories in the world. I used to play with his big
books, and make bridges, and railroads, and houses,
when I was a little boy," began Demi.
" How old are you now? " asked Nat, respectfully.
Sunday 49
" 'Most ten."
" You know a lot of things, don't you ? '
" Yes ; you see my head is pretty big, and Grandpa
says it will take a good deal to fill it, so I keep put-
ting pieces of wisdom into it as fast as I can," re-
turned Demi, in his quaint way.
Nat laughed, and then said soberly,
" Tell on, please."
And Demi gladly told on without pause or punct-
uation. " I found a very pretty book one day and
wanted to play with it, but Grandpa said I must n't,
and showed me the pictures, and told me about them,
and I liked the stories very much, all about Joseph and
his bad brothers, and the frogs that came up out
of the sea, and dear little Moses in the water, and
ever so many more lovely ones, but I liked about the
Good Man best of all, and Grandpa told it to me
so many times that I learned it by heart, and he gave
me this picture so I should n't forget, and it was put
up here once when I was sick, and I left it for other
sick boys to see."
"What makes Him bless the children?' asked
Nat, who found something very attractive in the
chief figure of the group.
" Because He loved them."
" Were they poor children ? " asked Nat, wistfully.
" Yes, I think so ; you see some have n't got hardly
any clothes on, and the mothers don't look like rich
ladies. He liked poor people, and was very good to
them. He made them well, and helped them, and
told rich people they must not be cross to them, and
they loved Him dearly, dearly," cried Demi, with
enthusiasm.
50 Little Men
( Was He rich?'
" Oh no ! He was born in a barn, and was so
poor He had n't any house to live in when He grew
up, and nothing to eat sometimes, but what people
gave Him, and He went round preaching to every-
body, and trying to make them good, till the bad
men killed Him."
" What for? " and Nat sat up in his bed to look and
listen, so interested was he in this man who cared for
the poor so much.
" I'll tell you all about it; Aunt Jo won't mind; "
and Demi settled himself on the opposite bed, glad
to tell his favorite story to so good a listener.
Nursey peeped in to see if Nat was asleep, but
when she saw what was going on, she slipped away
again, and went to Mrs. Bhaer, saying with her kind
face full of motherly emotion,
"Will the dear lady come and see a pretty sight?
It's Nat listening with all his heart to Demi telling
the story of the Christ-child, like a little white angel
as he is."
Mrs. Bhaer had meant to go and talk with Nat a
moment before he slept, for she had found that a
serious word spoken at this time often did much good.
But when she stole to the nursery door, and saw
Nat eagerly drinking in the words of his little friend,
while Demi told the sweet and solemn story as it had
been taught him, speaking softly as he sat with his
beautiful eyes fixed on the tender face above them,
her own filled with tears, and she went silently away,
thinking to herself,
" Demi is unconsciously helping the poor boy bet-
ter than I can; I will not spoil it by a single word."
Sunday 51
The murmur of the childish voice went on for a
long time, as one innocent heart preached that great
sermon to another, and no one hushed it. When it
ceased at last, and Mrs. Bhaer went to take away the
lamp, Demi was gone and Nat fast asleep, lying with
his face toward the picture, as if he had already
learned to love the Good Man who loved little
children, and was a faithful friend to the poor. The
boy's face was very placid, and as she looked at it
she felt that if a single day of care and kindness had
done so much, a year of patient cultivation would
surely bring a grateful harvest from this neglected
garden, which was already sown with the best of all
seed by the little missionary in the night-gown.
CHAPTER IV
STEPPING-STONES
WHEN Nat went into school on Monday
morning, he quaked inwardly, for now he
thought he should have to display his
ignorance before them all. But Mr. Bhaer gave him
a seat in the deep window, where he could turn his
back on the others, and Franz heard him say his
lessons there, so no one could hear his blunders or
see how he blotted his copy-book. He was truly
grateful for this, and toiled away so diligently that
Mr. Bhaer said, smiling, when he saw his hot face and
inky fingers,
" Don't work so hard, my boy ; you will tire your-
self out, and there is time enough."
" But I must work hard, or I can't catch up with the
others. They know heaps, and I don't know any
thing," said Nat, who had been reduced to a state of
despair by hearing the boys recite their grammar,
history, and geography with what he thought amaz-
ing ease and accuracy.
" You know a good many things which they don't,"
said Mr. Bhaer, sitting down beside him, while Franz
led a class of small students through the intricacies of
the multiplication table.
" Do I? " and Nat looked utterly incredulous.
Stepping-Stones 53
" Yes ; for one thing, you can keep your temper,
and Jack, who is quick at numbers, cannot; that is
an excellent lesson, and I think you have learned it
well. Then, you can play the violin, and not one of
the lads can, though they want to do it very much.
But, best of all, Nat, you really care to learn some-
thing, and that is half the battle. It seems hard at
first, and you will feel discouraged, but plod away,
and things will get easier and easier as you go on."
Nat's face had brightened more and more as he
listened, for, small as the list of his learning was, it
cheered him immensely to feel that he had anything
to fall back upon. " Yes, I can keep my temper
father's beating taught me that; and I can fiddle,
though I don't know where the Bay of Biscay is," he
thought, with a sense of comfort impossible to ex-
press. Then he said aloud, and so earnestly that
Demi heard him,
" I do want to learn, and I will try. I never went
to school, but I could n't help it ; and if the fellows
don't laugh at me, I guess I '11 get on first rate you
and the lady are so good to me."
" They shan't laugh at you ; if they do, I'll I '11
tell them not to," cried Demi, quite forgetting
where he was.
The class stopped in the middle of 7 times 9, and
every one looked up to see what was going on.
Thinking that a lesson in learning to help one
another was better than arithmetic just then, Mr.
Bhaer told them about Nat, making such an interest-
ing and touching little story out of it that the good-
hearted lads all promised to lend him a hand, and felt
quite honored to be called upon to impart their stores
54 Little Men
of wisdom to the chap who fiddled so capitally. This
appeal established the right feeling among them, and
Nat had few hindrances to struggle against, for every
one was glad to give him a " boost" up the ladder of
learning.
Till he was stronger, much study was not good for
him, however, and Mrs. Jo found various amusements
in the house for him while others were at their books.
But his garden was his best medicine, and he worked
away like a beaver, preparing his little farm, sowing
his beans, watching eagerly to see them grow, and
rejoicing over each green leaf and slender stock that
shot up and flourished in the warm spring weather.
Never was a garden more faithfully hoed ; Mr. Bhaer
really feared that nothing would find time to grow,
Nat kept up such a stirring of the soil ; so he gave
him easy jobs in the flower garden or among the
strawberries, where he worked and hummed as busily
as the bees booming all about him.
" This is the crop I like best," Mrs. Bhaer used to
say, as she pinched the once thin cheeks now getting
plump and ruddy, or stroked the bent shoulders that
were slowly straightening up with healthful work,
good food, and the absence of that heavy burden,
poverty.
Demi was his little friend, Tommy his patron, and
Daisy the comforter of all his woes ; for, though the
children were younger than he, his timid spirit found
a pleasure in their innocent society, and rather
shrunk from the rough sports of the elder lads. Mr.
Laurence did not forget him, but sent clothes and
books, music and kind messages, and now and then
came out to see how his boy was getting on, or took
Stepping-Stones 5 5
him into town to a concert ; on which occasions Nat
felt himself translated into the seventh heaven of bliss,
for he went to Mr. Laurence's great house, saw his
pretty wife and little fairy of a daughter, had a good
dinner, and was made so comfortable, that he talked
and dreamed of it for days and nights afterward.
It takes so little to make a child happy, that it is a
pity in a world full of sunshine and pleasant things,
that there should be any wistful faces, empty hands,
or lonely little hearts. Feeling this, the Bhaers
gathered up all the crumbs they could find to feed
their flock of hungry sparrows, for they were not
rich, except in charity. Many of Mrs. Jo's friends
who had nurseries sent her the toys of which their
children so soon tired, and in mending these Nat
found an employment that just suited him. He was
very neat and skilful with those slender fingers of his,
and passed many a rainy afternoon with his gum-
bottle, paint-box, and knife, repairing furniture, ani-
mals, and games, while Daisy was dressmaker to the
dilapidated dolls. As fast as the toys were mended,
they were put carefully away in a certain drawer
which was to furnish forth a Christmas-tree for all the
poor children of the neighborhood, that being the way
the Plumfield boys celebrated the birthday of Him who
loved the poor and blessed the little ones.
Demi was never tired of reading and explaining
his favorite books, and many a pleasant hour did they
spend in the old willow, revelling over " Robinson
Crusoe," " Arabian Nights," " Edgeworth's Tales,"
and the other dear immortal stories that will delight
children for centuries to come. This opened a new
world to Nat, and his eagerness to see what came
Little Men
next in the story helped him on till he could read as
well as anybody, and felt so rich and proud with his
new accomplishment, that there was danger of his
being as much of a bookworm as Demi.
Another helpful thing happened in a most unex-
pected and agreeable manner. Several of the boys
were " in business," as they called it, for most of
them were poor, and knowing that they would have
their own way to make by and by, the Bhaers en-
couraged any efforts at independence. Tommy sold
his eggs ; Jack speculated in live stock ; Franz helped
in the teaching, and was paid for it ; Ned had a taste
for carpentry, and a turning-lathe was set up for him
in which he turned all sorts of useful or pretty things,
and sold them ; while Demi constructed water-mills,
whirligigs, and unknown machines of an intricate and
useless nature, and disposed of them to the boys.
" Let him be a mechanic if he likes," said Mr.
Bhaer. " Give a boy a trade, and he is independent.
Work is wholesome, and whatever talent these lads
possess, be it for poetry or ploughing, it shall be
cultivated and made useful to them if possible."
So when Nat came running to him one day to ask
with an excited face,
" Can I go and fiddle for some people who are to
have a picnic in our woods? They will pay me, and
I 'd like to earn some money as the other boys do,
and fiddling is the only way I know how to do
it,"
Mr. Bhaer answered readily,
" Go, and welcome. It is an easy and a pleasant
way to work, and I am glad it is offered you."
Nat went, and did so well, that when he came
Stepping-Stones 5 7
home he had two dollars in his pocket, which he
displayed with intense satisfaction, as he told how
much he had enjoyed the afternoon, how kind the
young people were, and how they had praised his
dance-music, and promised to have him again.
" It is so much nicer than fiddling in the street,
for then I got none of the money, and now I have it
all, and a good time besides. I 'm in business now
as well as Tommy and Jack, and I like it ever so
much," said Nat, proudly patting the old pocket-
book, and feeling like a millionnaire already.
He was in business truly, for picnics were plenty
as summer opened, and Nat's skill was in great
demand. He was always at liberty to go if lessons
were not neglected, and if the picnics were respect-
able young people. For Mr. Bhaer explained to
him that a good plain education is necessary for
every one, and that no amount of money should hire
him to go where he might be tempted to do wrong.
Nat quite agreed to this, and it was a pleasant sight
to see the innocent-hearted lad go driving away in
the gay wagons that stopped at the gate for him, or
to hear him come fiddling home tired but happy,
with his well-earned money in one pocket, and some
" goodies " from the feast for Daisy or little Ted,
whom he never forgot.
" I 'm going to save up till I get enough to buy a
violin for myself, and then I can earn my own living,
can't I?" he used to say, as he brought his dollars to
Mr. Bhaer to keep.
" I hope so, Nat ; but we must get you strong and
hearty first, and put a little more knowledge into this
musical head of yours. Then Mr. Laurie will find
Little Men
you a place somewhere, and in a few years we will
all come to hear you play in public."
With much congenial work, encouragement, and
hope, Nat found life getting easier and happier every
day, and made such progress in his music lessons,
that his teacher forgave his slowness in some other
things, knowing very well that where the heart is the
mind works best. The only punishment the boy ever
needed for neglect of more important lessons was
to hang up the fiddle and the bow for a day. The
fear of losing his bosom friend entirely made him go
at his books with a will ; and having proved that he
could master the lessons, what was the use of saying
"I can't"?
Daisy had a great love of music, and a great rever-
ence for any one who could make it, and she was
often found sitting on the stairs outside Nat's door
while he was practising. This pleased him very
much, and he played his best for that one quiet
little listener ; for she never would come in, but pre-
ferred to sit sewing her gay patchwork, or tending
one of her many dolls, with an expression of dreamy
pleasure on her face that made Aunt Jo say, with
tears in her eyes,
" So like my Beth," and go softly by, lest even her
familiar presence mar the child's sweet satisfaction.
Nat was very fond of Mrs. Bhaer, but found some-
thing even more attractive in the good professor,
who took fatherly care of the shy feeble boy, who had
barely escaped with his life from the rough sea on
which his little boat had been tossing rudderless for
twelve years. Some good angel must have watched
over him, for, though his body had suffered, his soul
Stepping-Stones 5 9
seemed to have taken little harm, and came ashore
as innocent as a shipwrecked baby. Perhaps his
love of music kept it sweet in spite of the discord all
about him ; Mr. Laurie said so, and he ought to
know. However that might be, Father Bhaer took
real pleasure in fostering poor Nat's virtues, and
in curing his faults, finding his new pupil as docile
and affectionate as a girl. He often called Nat his
" daughter ' when speaking of him to Mrs. Jo, and
she used to laugh at his fancy, for Madame liked
manly boys, and thought Nat amiable but weak,
though you never would have guessed it, for she
petted him as she did Daisy, and he thought her a
very delightful woman.
One fault of Nat's gave the Bhaers much anxiety,
although they saw how it had been strengthened by
fear and ignorance. I regret to say that Nat some-
times told lies. Not very black ones, seldom getting
deeper than gray, and often the mildest of white fibs ;
but that did not matter, a lie is a lie, and though we
all tell many polite untruths in this queer world of
ours, it is not right, and everybody knows it.
" You cannot be too careful ; watch your tongue,
and eyes, and hands, for it is easy to tell, and look,
and act untruth," said Mr. Bhaer, in one of the talks
he had with Nat about his chief temptation.
" I know it, and I don't mean to, but it 's so much
easier to get along if you ain't very fussy about being
exactly true. I used to tell 'em because I was afraid
of father and Nicolo, and now I do sometimes because
the boys laugh at me. I know it 's bad, but I forget,"
and Nat looked much depressed by his sins.
" When I was a little lad I used to tell lies ! Ach !
60 Little Men
what fibs they were, and my old grandmother cured
me of it how, do you think? My parents had
talked, and cried, and punished, but still did I forget
as you. Then said the dear old grandmother, ' I
shall help you to remember, and put a check on this
unruly part/ with that she drew out my tongue and
snipped the end with her scissors till the blood ran.
That was terrible, you may believe, but it did me
much good, because it was sore for days, and every
word I said came so slowly that I had time to
think. After that I was more careful, and got on
better, for I feared the big scissors. Yet the dear
grandmother was most kind to me in all things, and
when she lay dying far away in Nuremberg, she
prayed that little Fritz might love God and tell the
truth."
" I never had any grandmothers, but if you think it
will cure me, I'll let you snip my tongue," said Nat,
heroically, for he dreaded pain, yet did wish to stop
fibbing.
Mr. Bhaer smiled, but shook his head.
" I have a better way than that, I tried it once before
and it worked well. See now, when you tell a lie I
will not punish you, but you shall punish me."
" How? " asked Nat, startled at the idea.
"You shall ferule me in the good old-fashioned
way, I seldom do it myself, but it may make you
remember better to give me pain than to feel it
yourself."
Strike you? Oh, I could n't ! " cried Nat.
Then mind that tripping tongue of thine. I have
no wish to be hurt, but I would gladly bear much
pain to cure this fault."
u
u
Stepping-Stones 6 1
This suggestion made such an impression on Nat,
that for a long time he set a watch upon his lips, and
was desperately accurate, for Mr. Bhaer judged rightly,
that love of him would be more powerful with Nat
than fear for himself. But alas ! one sad day Nat was
off his guard, and when peppery Emil threatened to
thrash him, if it was he who had run over his garden
and broken down his best hills of corn, Nat declared
he did n't, and then was ashamed to own up that he
did do it, when Jack was chasing him the night
before.
He thought no one would find it out, but Tommy
happened to see him, and when Emil spoke of it a
day or two later, Tommy gave his evidence, and Mr.
Bhaer heard it. School was over, and they were all
standing about in the hall, and Mr. Bhaer had just sat
down on the straw settee, to enjoy his frolic with
Teddy; but when he heard Tommy, and saw Nat
turn scarlet, and look at him with a frightened face,
he put the little boy down, saying, " Go to thy
mother, biibchen, I will come soon," and taking Nat
by the hand led him into the school, and shut the
door.
The boys looked at one another in silence for a
minute, then Tommy slipped out and peeping in at
the half-closed blinds, beheld a sight that quite be-
wildered him. Mr. Bhaer had just taken down the
long rule that hung over his desk, so seldom used
that it was covered with dust.
" My eye ! he 's going to come down heavy on
Nat this time. Wish I had n't told," thought good-
natured Tommy, for to be feruled was the deepest
disgrace at this school.
62 Little Men
" You remember what I told you last time? " said
Mr. Bhaer, sorrowfully, not angrily.
" Yes ; but please don't make me, I can't bear it,"
cried Nat, backing up against the door with both
hands behind him, and a face full of distress.
"Why don't he up and take it like a man? I
would," thought Tommy, though his heart beat fast
at the sight.
" I shall keep my word, and you must remember to
tell the truth. Obey me, Nat, take this and give me
six good strokes."
Tommy was so staggered by this last speech that
he nearly tumbled down the bank, but saved himself,
and hung on to the window ledge, staring in with eyes
as round as the stuffed owl's on the chimney-piece.
Nat took the rule, for when Mr. Bhaer spoke in
that tone every one obeyed him, and, looking as
scared and guilty as if about to stab his master, he
gave two feeble blows on the broad hand held out to
him. Then he stopped and looked up half-blind with
tears, but Mr. Bhaer said steadily,
" Go on, and strike harder."
As if seeing that it must be done, and eager to
have the hard task soon over, Nat drew his sleeve
across his eyes and gave two more quick hard strokes
that reddened the hand, yet hurt the giver more.
" Is n't that enough? " he asked in a breathless sort
of tone.
" Two more," was all the answer, and he gave them,
hardly seeing where they fell, then threw the rule all
across the room, and hugging the kind hand in both
his own, laid his face down on it sobbing out in a
passion of love, and shame, and penitence,
Stepping-Stones 63
" I will remember ! Oh ! I will ! "
Then Mr. Bhaer put an arm about him, and said in
a tone as compassionate as it had just now been
firm, -
" I think you will. Ask the dear God to help you,
and try to spare us both another scene like this."
Tommy saw no more, for he crept back to the hall,
looking so excited and sober that the boys crowded
round him to ask what was being done to Nat.
In a most impressive whisper Tommy told them,
and they looked as if the sky was about to fall, for this
reversing the order of things almost took their breath
away.
" He made me do the same thing once," said Emil,
as if confessing a crime of the deepest dye.
" And you hit him? dear old Father Bhaer? By
thunder, I 'd just like to see you do it now ! " said
Ned, collaring Emil in a fit of righteous wrath.
" It was ever so long ago. I 'd rather have my
head cut off than do it now," and Emil mildly laid
Ned on his back instead of cuffing him, as he would
have felt it his duty to do on any less solemn occasion.
" How could you ? " said Demi, appalled at the idea.
" I was hopping mad at the time, and thought I
should n't mind a bit, rather like it perhaps. But
when I 'd hit Uncle one good crack, every thing he
had ever done for me came into my head all at once
somehow, and I could n't go on. No, sir ! if he 'd
laid me down and walked on me, I would n't have
minded, I felt so mean ; " and Emil gave himself a
good thump in the chest to express his sense of re-
morse for the past.
" Nat 's crying like any thing, and feels no end
6 4
Little Men
sorry, so don't let 's say a word about it ; will we ? '
said tender-hearted Tommy.
"Of course we won't, but it's awful to tell lies,"
and Demi looked as if he found the awfulness much
increased when the punishment fell not upon the
sinner, but his best Uncle Fritz.
" Suppose we all clear out, so Nat can cut up-
stairs if he wants to," proposed Franz, and led the
way to the barn, their refuge in troublous times.
Nat did not come to dinner, but Mrs. Jo took some
up to him, and said a tender word, which did him
good, though he could not look at her. By and by
the lads playing outside heard the violin, and said
among themselves : " He 's all right now." He was
all right, but felt shy about going down, till, opening
his door to slip away into the woods, he found Daisy
sitting on the stairs with neither work nor doll, only
her little handkerchief in her hand, as if she had been
mourning for her captive friend.
" I 'm going to walk; want to come? " asked Nat,
trying to look as if nothing was the matter, yet feel-
ing very grateful for her silent sympathy, because he
fancied every one must look upon him as a wretch.
" Oh, yes ! " and Daisy ran for her hat, proud
to be chosen as a companion by one of the big
boys.
The others saw them go, but no one followed, for
boys have a great deal more delicacy than they get
credit for, and the lads instinctively felt that, when in
disgrace, gentle little Daisy was their most congenial
friend.
The walk did Nat good, and he came home quieter
than usual, but looking cheerful again, and hung all
Stepping-Stones 6 5
over with daisy-chains, made by his little playmate
while he lay on the grass and told her stories.
No one said a word about the scene of the morn-
ing, but its effect was all the more lasting for that
reason, perhaps. Nat tried his very best, and found
much help, not only from the earnest little prayers
he prayed to his Friend in heaven, but also in the
patient care of the earthly friend, whose kind hand
he never touched without remembering that it had
willingly borne pain for his sake.
CHAPTER V
PATTY PANS
W
HAT'S the matter, Daisy?'
" The boys won't let me play with them."
"Why not?"
" They say girls can't play foot-ball."
" They can, for I 've done it ! ' and Mrs. Bhaer
laughed at the remembrance of certain youthful
frolics.
" I know I can play ; Demi and I used to, and
have nice times, but he won't let me now because the
other boys laugh at him," and Daisy looked deeply
grieved at her brother's hardness of heart.
" On the whole, I think he is right, deary. It 's all
very well when you two are alone, but it is too rough
a game for you with a dozen boys ; so I 'd find some
nice little play for myself."
" I 'm tired of playing alone ! ' and Daisy's tone
was very mournful.
" I '11 play with you by and by, but just now I must
fly about and get things ready for a trip into town.
You shall go with me and see mamma, and if you
like you can stay with her."
" I should like to go and see her and Baby Josy,
but I 'd rather come back, please. Demi would miss
me, and I love to be here, Aunty."
Patty Pans 67
"You can't get on without your Demi, can you?'
and Aunt Jo looked as if she quite understood the
love of the little girl for her only brother.
" 'Course I can't ; we 're twins, and so we love each
other more than other people," answered Daisy, with
a brightening face, for she considered being a twin
one of the highest honors she could ever receive.
" Now, what will you do with your little self while
I fly round ? ' asked Mrs. Bhaer, who was whisking
piles of linen into a wardrobe with great rapidity.
" I don't know, I 'm tired of dolls and things ; I
wish you 'd make up a new play for me, Aunty Jo,"
said Daisy, swinging listlessly on the door.
" I shall have to think of a bran new one, and it
will take me some time ; so suppose you go down
and see what Asia has got for your lunch," suggested
Mrs. Bhaer, thinking that would be a good way in
which to dispose of the little hindrance for a time.
" Yes, I think I 'd like that, if she is n't cross," and
Daisy slowly departed to the kitchen, where Asia,
the black cook, reigned undisturbed.
In five minutes Daisy was back again, with a wide-
awake face, a bit of dough in her hand and a dab of
flour on her little nose.
" O Aunty ! please could I go and make ginger-
snaps and things? Asia isn't cross, and she says I
may, and it would be such fun, please do," cried
Daisy, all in one breath.
" Just the thing, go and welcome, make what you
like, and stay as long as you please," answered Mrs.
Bhaer, much relieved, for sometimes the one little
girl was harder to amuse than the dozen boys.
Daisy ran off, and while she worked, Aunt Jo
68 Little Men
racked her brain for a new play. All of a sudden she
seemed to have an idea, for she smiled to herself,
slammed the doors of the wardrobe, and walked
briskly away, saying, " I '11 do it, if it 's a possible
thing ! "
What it was no one found out that day, but Aunt
Jo's eyes twinkled so when she told Daisy she had
thought of a new play, and was going to buy it, that
Daisy was much excited and asked questions all the
way into town, without getting answers that told her
anything. She was left at home to play with the new
baby and delight her mother's eyes, while Aunt Jo
went off shopping. When she came back with all
sorts of queer parcels in corners of the carry-all, Daisy
was so full of curiosity that she wanted to go back to
Plumfield at once. But her aunt would not be hur-
ried, and made a long call in mamma's room, sitting
on the floor with baby in her lap, making Mrs. Brooke
laugh at the pranks of the boys, and all sorts of droll
nonsense.
How her aunt told the secret Daisy could not
imagine, but her mother evidently knew it, for she
said, as she tied on the little bonnet and kissed the
rosy little face inside, " Be a good child, my Daisy,
and learn the nice new play Aunty has got for you.
It 's a most useful and interesting one, and it is very
kind of her to play it with you, because she does not
like it very well herself."
This last speech made the two ladies laugh heartily,
and increased Daisy's bewilderment. As they drove
away something rattled in the back of the carriage.
" What 's that? " asked Daisy, pricking up her ears.
" The new play," answered Mrs. Jo, solemnly.
Patty Pans 69
" What is it made of? " cried Daisy.
" Iron, tin, wood, brass, sugar, salt, coal, and a hun-
dred other things."
" How strange ! what color is it? '
" All sorts of colors."
"Is it large?"
" Part of it is, and a part is n't."
" Did I ever see one? '
" Ever so many, but never one so nice as this."
"Oh! what can it be? I can't wait. When shall
I see it?' and Daisy bounced up and down with
impatience.
" To-morrow morning, after lessons."
" Is it for the boys too ? '
" No, all for you and Bess. The boys will like to
see it, and want to play one part of it. But you can
do as you like about letting them."
" I '11 let Demi, if he wants to."
" No fear that they won't all want to, especially
Stuffy," and Mrs. Bhaer's eyes twinkled more than
ever, as she patted a queer knobby bundle in her lap.
" Let me feel just once," prayed Daisy.
"Not a feel; you'd guess in a minute and spoil
the fun."
Daisy groaned and then smiled all over her face,
for through a little hole in the paper she caught a.
glimpse of something bright.
" How can I wait so long? Couldn't I see it to-
day?"
" Oh dear, no ! it has got to be arranged, and ever
so many parts fixed in their places. I promised
Uncle Teddy that you should n't see it till it was all
in apple-pie order."
70 Little Men
' If Uncle knows about it then it must be splendid ! '
cried Daisy, clapping her hands ; for this kind, rich,
jolly uncle of hers was as good as a fairy godmother
to the children, and was always planning merry sur-
prises, pretty gifts, and droll amusements for them.
" Yes ; Teddy went and bought it with me, and we
had such fun in the shop choosing the different parts.
He would have everything fine and large, and my
little plan got regularly splendid when he took hold.
You must give him your very best kiss when he
comes, for he is the kindest uncle that ever went and
bought a charming little coo Bless me ! I nearly
told you what it was ! " and Mrs. Bhaer cut that most
interesting word short off in the middle, and began to
look over her bills, as if afraid she would let the cat
out of the bag if she talked any more. Daisy folded
her hands with an air of resignation, and sat quite
still trying to think what play had a " coo " in it.
When they got home she eyed every bundle that
was taken out, and one large heavy one, which Franz
took straight up-stairs and hid in the nursery, filled
her with amazement and curiosity. Something very
mysterious went on up there that afternoon, for Franz
was hammering, and Asia trotting up and down, and
Aunt Jo flying around like a will-o'-the-wisp, with all
sorts of things under her apron, while little Ted, who
was the only child admitted, because he could n't talk
plain, babbled and laughed, and tried to tell what the
" sumpin pitty " was.
All this made Daisy half wild, and her excitement
spread among the boys, who quite overwhelmed
Mother Bhaer with offers of assistance, which she
declined by quoting their own words to Daisy,
Patty Pans 7 i
" Girls can't play with boys. This is for Daisy,
and Bess, and me, so we don't want you." Where-
upon the young gentlemen meekly retired, and
invited Daisy to a game of marbles, horse, foot-
ball, any thing she liked, with a sudden warmth and
politeness which astonished her innocent little soul.
Thanks to these attentions, she got through the
afternoon, went early to bed, and next morning did
her lessons with an energy which made Uncle Fritz
wish that a new game could be invented every day.
Quite a thrill pervaded the school-room when Daisy
was dismissed at eleven o'clock, for every one knew
that now she was going to have the new and myste-
rious play.
Many eyes followed her as she ran away, and Demi's
mind was so distracted by this event that when Franz
asked him where the desert of Sahara was, he mourn-
fully replied, " In the nursery," and the whole school
laughed at him.
" Aunt Jo, I Ve done all my lessons, and I can't
wait one single minute more ! " cried Daisy, flying in-
to Mrs. Bhaer's room.
" It 's all ready, come on ; " and tucking Ted under
one arm, and her work-basket under the other, Aunt
Jo promptly led the way up-stairs.
" I don't see any thing," said Daisy, staring about
her as she got inside the nursery door.
"Do you hear any thing?" asked Aunt Jo, catch-
ing Ted back by his little frock as he was making
straight for one side of the room.
Daisy did hear an odd crackling, and then a purry
little sound as of a kettle singing. These noises
came from behind a curtain drawn before a deep bay
72 Little Men
window. Daisy snatched it back, gave one joyful
" Oh ! " and then stood gazing with delight at what
do you think?
A wide seat ran round the three sides of the win-
dow ; on one side hung and stood all sorts of little pots
and pans, gridirons and skillets ; on the other side a
small dinner and tea set ; and on the middle part a
cooking-stove. Not a tin one, that was of no use, but
a real iron stove, big enough to cook for a large family
of very hungry dolls. But the best of it was that a
real fire burned in it, real steam came out of the nose
of the little tea-kettle, and the lid of the little boiler
actually danced a jig, the water inside bubbled so hard.
A pane of glass had been taken out and replaced by a
sheet of tin, with a hole for the small funnel, and real
smoke went sailing away outside so naturally, that it
did one's heart good to see it. The box of wood with
a hod of charcoal stood near by ; just above hung dust-
pan, brush and broom ; a little market basket was on
the low table at which Daisy used to play, and over the
back of her little chair hung a white apron with a bib,
and a droll mob cap. The sun shone in as if he en-
joyed the fun, the little stove roared beautifully, the
kettle steamed, the new tins sparkled on the walls, the
pretty china stood in tempting rows, and it was
altogether as cheery and complete a kitchen as any
child could desire.
Daisy stood quite still after the first glad " Oh ! '
but her eyes went quickly from one charming object
to another, brightening as they looked, till they came
to Aunt Jo's merry face ; there they stopped as the
happy little girl hugged her, saying gratefully,
" O Aunty, it's a splendid new play! can I really
Patty Pans 73
cook at the dear stove, and have parties and mess,
and sweep, and make fires that truly burn? I like it
so much ! What made you think of it? '
" Your liking to make gingersnaps with Asia made
me think of it," said Mrs. Bhaer, holding Daisy, who
frisked as if she would fly. " I knew Asia would n't
let you mess in her kitchen very often, and it
would n't be safe at this fire up here, so I thought I 'd
see if I could find a little stove for you, and teach
you to cook ; that would be fun, and useful too. So
I travelled round among the toy shops, but every
thing large cost too much and I was thinking I
should have to give it up, when I met Uncle Teddy.
As soon as he knew what I was about, he said he
wanted to help, and insisted on buying the biggest
toy stove we could find. I scolded, but he only
laughed, and teased me about my cooking when we
were young, and said I must teach Bess as well as you,
and went on buying all sorts of nice little things for
my ' cooking class ' as he called it."
" I 'm so glad you met him!" said Daisy, as Mrs.
Jo stopped to laugh at the memory of the funny time
she had with Uncle Teddy.
"You must study hard and learn to make all kinds
of things, for he says he shall come out to tea very
often, and expects something uncommonly nice."
" It 's the sweetest, dearest kitchen in the world,
and I 'd rather study with it than do any thing else.
Can't I learn pies, and cake, and macaroni, and
everything?" cried Daisy, dancing round the room
with a new saucepan in one hand and the tiny poker
in the other.
" All in good time. This is to be a useful play, I
74 Little Men
am to help yon, and you are to be my cook, so I
shall tell you what to do, and show you how. Then
we shall have things fit to eat, and you will be really
learning how to cook on a small scale. I '11 call you
Sally, and say you are a new girl just come," added
Mrs. Jo, settling down to work, while Teddy sat on
the floor sucking his thumb, and staring at the stove
as if it was a live thing, whose appearance deeply
interested him.
''That will be so lovely! What shall I do first?"
asked Sally, with such a happy face and willing air
that Aunt Jo wished all new cooks were half as pretty
and pleasant.
" First of all, put on this clean cap and apron. I
am rather old-fashioned, and I like my cook to be
very tidy."
Sally tucked her curly hair into the round cap, and
put on the apron without a murmur, though usually
she rebelled against bibs.
" Now, you can put things in order, and wash up the
new china. The old set needs washing also, for my last
girl was apt to leave it in a sad state after a party."
Aunt Jo spoke quite soberly, but Sally laughed, for
she knew who the untidy girl was who had left the
cups sticky. Then she turned up her cuffs, and with
a sigh of satisfaction began to stir about her kitchen,
having little raptures now and then over the " sweet
rolling pin," the " darling dish-tub," or the " cunning
pepper-pot."
" Now, Sally, take your basket and go to market ;
here is the list of things I want for dinner," said Mrs.
Jo, giving her a bit of paper when the dishes were all
in order.
Patty Pans 75
"Where is the market? >: asked Daisy, thinking
that the new play got more and more interesting
every minute.
" Asia is the market."
Away went Sally, causing another stir in the school-
room as she passed the door in her new costume, and
whispered to Demi, with a face full of delight, "It 's
a perfectly splendid play ! '
Old Asia enjoyed the joke as much as Daisy, and
laughed jollily as the little girl came flying into the
room with her cap all on one side, the lids of her
basket rattling like castanets, and looking like a very
crazy little cook.
" Mrs. Aunt Jo wants these things, and I must
have them right away," said Daisy, importantly.
" Let 's see, honey ; here 's two pounds of steak,
potatoes, squash, apples, bread, and butter. The
meat ain't come yet; when it does I'll send it up.
The other things are all handy."
Then Asia packed one potato, one apple, a bit of
squash, a little pat of butter, and a roll, into the
basket, telling Sally to be on the watch for the
butcher's boy, because he sometimes played tricks.
"Who is he?" and Daisy hoped it would be Demi.
"You'll see," was all Asia would say; and Sally
went off in great spirits, singing a verse from dear
Mary Hewitt's sweet story in rhyme, -
" Away went little Mabel,
With the wheaten cake so fine,
The new-made pot of butter,
And the little flask of wine."
" Put every thing but the apple into the store-
closet for the present," said Mrs. Jo, when the cook
got home.
7 6
Little Men
There was a cupboard under the middle shelf, and
on opening the door fresh delights appeared. One
half was evidently the cellar, for wood, coal, and
kindlings were piled there. The other half was full
of little jars, boxes, and all sorts of droll contrivances
for holding small quantities of flour, meal, sugar, salt,
and other household stores. A pot of jam was there,
a little tin box of gingerbread, a cologne bottle full
of currant wine, and a tiny canister of tea. But the
crowning charm was two doll's pans of new milk, with
cream actually rising on it, and a wee skimmer all
ready to skim it with. Daisy clasped her hands at
this delicious spectacle, and wanted to skim immedi-
ately. But Aunt Jo said,
" Not yet ; you will want the cream to eat on your
apple-pie at dinner, and must not disturb it till then."
"Am I going to have pie?' 1 cried Daisy, hardly
believing that such bliss could be in store for her.
" Yes ; if your oven does well we will have two
pies, one apple and one strawberry," said Mrs. Jo,
who was nearly as much interested in the new play
as Daisy herself.
" Oh, what next? ' asked Sally, all impatience to
begin.
" Shut the lower draught of the stove, so that the
oven may heat. Then wash your hands and get out
the flour, sugar, salt, butter, and cinnamon. See if
the pie-board is clean, and pare your apple ready to
put in."
Daisy got things together with as little noise and
spilling as could be expected, from so young a cook.
" I really don't know how to measure for such tiny
pies ; I must guess at it, and if these don't succeed,
Patty Pans 77
we must try again," said Mrs. Jo, looking rather per-
plexed, and very much amused with the small con-
cern before her. " Take that little pan full of flour,
put in a pinch of salt, and then rub in as much butter
as will go on that plate. Always remember to put
your dry things together first, and then the wet. It
mixes better so."
" I know how ; I saw Asia do it. Don't I butter
the pie plates too? She did, the first thing," said
Daisy, whisking the flour about at a great rate.
" Quite right ! I do believe you have a gift for
cooking, you take to it so cleverly," said Aunt Jo,
approvingly. " Now a dash of cold water, just
enough to wet it ; then scatter some flour on the
board, work in a little, and roll the paste out ; yes,
that 's the way. Now put dabs of butter all over it,
and roll it out again. We won't have our pastry very
rich, or the dolls will get dyspeptic."
Daisy laughed at the idea, and scattered the dabs
with a liberal hand. Then she rolled and rolled with
her delightful little pin, and having got her paste
ready, proceeded to cover the plates with it. Next
the apple was sliced in, sugar and cinnamon lavishly
sprinkled over it, and then the top crust put on with
breathless care.
" I always wanted to cut them round, and Asia
never would let me. How nice it is to do it all my
ownty donty self! " said Daisy, as the little knife went
clipping round the doll's plate poised on her hand.
All cooks, even the best, meet with mishaps some-
times, and Sally's first one occurred then, for the
knife went so fast that the plate slipped, turned a
somersault in the air, and landed the dear little pie
Little Men
upside down on the floor. Sally screamed, Mrs. Jo
laughed, Teddy scrambled to get it, and for a mo-
ment confusion reigned in the new kitchen.
" It did n't spill or break, because I pinched the
edges together so hard ; it is n't hurt a bit, so I '11
prick holes in it, and then it will be ready," said
Sally, picking up the capsized treasure and putting it
into shape with a childlike disregard of the dust it
had gathered in its fall.
"My new cook has a good temper, I see, and that
is such a comfort," said Mrs. Jo. " Now open the
jar of strawberry jam, fill the uncovered pie, and put
some strips of paste over the top as Asia does."
" I '11 make a D in the middle, and have zigzags all
round ; that will be so interesting when I come to eat
it," said Sally, loading her pie with quids and
flourishes that would have driven a real pastry cook
wild. " Now I put them in ! " she exclaimed, when
the last grimy knob had been carefully planted in the
red field of jam, and with an air of triumph she shut
them into the little oven.
" Clear up your things ; a good cook never lets
her utensils collect. Then pare your squash and
potatoes."
"There is only one potato," giggled Sally.
" Cut it in four pieces, so it will go into the little
kettle, and put the bits into cold water till it is time
to cook them."
" Do I soak the squash too? '
" No, indeed ! just pare it and cut it up, and put it
into the steamer over the pot. It is drier so, though
it takes longer to cook."
Here a scratching at the door caused Sally to run
Patty Pans 79
and open it, when Kit appeared with a covered
basket in his mouth.
" Here 's the butcher's boy ! ' cried Daisy, much
tickled at the idea, as she relieved him of his load,
whereat he licked his lips and began to beg, evi-
dently thinking that it was his own dinner, for he
often carried it to his master in that way. Being
undeceived, he departed in great wrath and barked all
the way down-stairs, to ease his wounded feelings.
In the basket were two bits of steak (doll's
pounds), a baked pear, a small cake, and paper with
them on which Asia had scrawled, " For Missy's
lunch, if her cookin' don't turn out well."
4< I don't want any of her old pears and things; my
cooking will turn out well, and I '11 have a splendid
dinner; see if I don't! " cried Daisy, indignantly.
" We may like them if company should come. It
is always well to have something in the store-room,"
said Aunt Jo, who had been taught this valuable fact
by a series of domestic panics.
" Me is hundry," announced Teddy, who began to
think what with so much cooking going on it was
about time for somebody to eat something. His
mother gave him her work-basket to rummage, hop-
ing to keep him quiet till dinner was ready, and
returned to her housekeeping.
" Put on your vegetables, set the table, and then
have some coals kindling ready for the steak."
What a thing it was to see the potatoes bobbing
about in the little pot ; to peep at the squash getting
soft so fast in the tiny steamer; to whisk open the
oven door every five minutes to see how the pies got
on, and at last when the coals were red and glowing,
8o Little Men
to put two real steaks on a finger-long gridiron and
proudly turn them with a fork. The potatoes were
done first, and no wonder, for they had boiled franti-
cally all the while. They were pounded up with a
little pestle, had much butter and no salt put in
(cook forgot it in the excitement of the moment),
then it was made into a mound in a gay red dish,
smoothed over with a knife dipped in milk, and put
in the oven to brown.
So absorbed in these last performances had Sally
been, that she forgot her pastry till she opened the
door to put in the potato, then a wail arose, for, alas !
alas ! the little pies were burnt black !
" Oh, my pies ! my darling pies ! they are all spoilt ! '
cried poor Sally, wringing her dirty little hands as
she surveyed the ruin of her work. The tart was
especially pathetic, for the quirls and zigzags stuck
up in all directions from the blackened jelly, like the
walls and chimney of a house after a fire.
" Dear, dear, I forgot to remind you to take them
out ; it 's just my luck," said Aunt Jo, remorsefully.
" Don't cry, darling, it was my fault ; we '11 try again
after dinner," she added, as a great tear dropped
from Sally's eyes and sizzled on the hot ruins of the
tart.
More would have followed, if the steak had not
blazed up just then, and so occupied the attention of
cook, that she quickly forgot the lost pastry.
" Put the meat-dish and your own plates down to
warm, while you mash the squash with butter, salt,
and a little pepper on the top/' said Mrs. Jo,
devoutly hoping that the dinner would meet with no
further disasters.
Patty Pans 81
The " cunning pepper-pot " soothed Sally's feelings,
and she dished up her squash in fine style. The din-
ner was safely put upon the table ; the six dolls were
seated three on a side ; Teddy took the bottom, and
Sally the top. When all were settled, it was a most
imposing spectacle, for one doll was in full ball cos-
tume, another in her night-gown ; Jerry, the worsted
boy, wore his red winter suit, while Annabella, the nose-
less darling, was airily attired in nothing but her own
kid skin. Teddy, as father of the family, behaved
with great propriety, for he smilingly devoured every
thing offered him, and did not find a single fault.
Daisy beamed upon her company like the weary,
warm, but hospitable hostess, so often to be seen at
larger tables than this, and did the honors with an
air of innocent satisfaction, which we do not often see
elsewhere.
The steak was so tough, that the little carving-knife
would not cut it ; the potato did not go round, and
the squash was very lumpy ; but the guests appeared
politely unconscious of these trifles ; and the master
and mistress of the house cleared the table with
appetites that any one might envy them. The joy of
skimming a jug-full of cream mitigated the anguish
felt for the loss of the pies, and Asia's despised cake
proved a treasure in the way of dessert.
" That is the nicest lunch I ever had ; can't I do it
every day?" asked Daisy as she scraped up and ate
the leavings all round.
" You can cook things every day after lessons, but
I prefer that you should eat your dishes at your
regular meals, and only have a bit of gingerbread for
lunch. To-day, being the first time, I don't mind,
6
82 Little Men
but we must keep our rules. This afternoon you can
make something for tea if you like," said Mrs. Jo,
who had enjoyed the dinner-party very much, though
no one had invited her to partake.
" Do let me make flapjacks for Demi, he loves
them so, and it's such fun to turn them and put
sugar in between," cried Daisy, tenderly wiping a
yellow stain off Annabella's broken nose, for Bella
had refused to eat squash when it was pressed upon
her as good for " lumatism," a complaint which it is
no wonder she suffered from, considering the light-
ness of her attire.
" But if you give Demi goodies, all the others will
expect some also, and then you will have your hands
full."
" Could n't I have Demi come up to tea alone just
this one time, and after that I could cook things for
the others if they were good," proposed Daisy, with
a sudden inspiration.
" That is a capital idea, Posy ! We will make
your little messes rewards for the good boys, and I
don't know one among them who would not like
something nice to eat more than almost any thing
else. If little men are like big ones, good cooking
will touch their hearts and soothe their tempers de-
lightfully," added Aunt Jo, with a merry nod toward
the door, where stood Papa Bhaer, surveying the
scene with a face full of amusement.
" That last hit was for me, sharp woman. I accept
it, for it is true ; but if I had married thee for thy
cooking, heart's dearest, I should have fared badly
all these years," answered the professor, laughing,
as he tossed Teddy, who became quite apoplectic
Patty Pans 83
in his endeavors to describe the feast he had just
enjoyed.
Daisy proudly showed her kitchen, and rashly
promised Uncle Fritz as many flapjacks as he could
eat. She was just telling about the new rewards when
the boys, headed by Demi, burst into the room snuff-
ing the air like a pack of hungry hounds, for school
was out, dinner was not ready, and the fragrance of
Daisy's steak led them straight to the spot.
A prouder little damsel was never seen than Sally
as she displayed her treasures and told the lads what
was in store for them. Several rather scoffed at the
idea of her cooking any thing fit to eat, but Stuffy's
heart was won at once, Nat and Demi had firm faith
in her skill, and the others said they would wait and
see. All admired the kitchen, however, and exam-
ined the stove with deep interest. Demi offered to
buy the boiler on the spot, to be used in a steam-
engine which he was constructing ; and Ned declared
that the best and biggest saucepan was just the thing
to melt his lead in when he ran bullets, hatchets, and
such trifles.
Daisy looked so alarmed at these proposals, that
Mrs. Jo then and there made and proclaimed a law
that no boy should touch, use, or even approach the
sacred stove without a special permit from the owner
thereof. This increased its value immensely in the
eyes of the gentlemen, especially as any infringement
of the law would be punished by the forfeiture of all
right to partake of the delicacies promised to the
virtuous.
At this point the bell rang, and the entire popula-
tion went down to dinner, which meal was enlivened
84 Little Men
by each of the boys giving Daisy a list of things he
would like to have cooked for him as fast as he earned
them. Daisy, whose faith in her stove was unlimited,
promised every thing, if Aunt Jo would tell her how
to make them. This suggestion rather alarmed Mrs.
Jo, for some of the dishes were quite beyond her
skill, wedding-cake, for instance, bull's-eye candy,
and cabbage soup with herrings and cherries in it,
which Mr. Bhaer proposed as his favorite, and imme-
diately reduced his wife to despair, for German
cookery was beyond her.
Daisy wanted to begin again the minute dinner was
done, but she was only allowed to clear up, fill the
kettle ready for tea, and wash out her apron, which
looked as if she had cooked a Christmas feast. She
was then sent out to play till five o'clock, for Uncle
Fritz said that too much study, even at cooking
stoves, was bad for little minds and bodies, and Aunt
Jo knew by long experience how soon new toys lose
their charm if they are not prudently used.
Every one was very kind to Daisy that afternoon.
Tommy promised her the first fruits of his garden,
though the only visible crop just then was pigweed ;
Nat offered to supply her with wood, free of charge ;
Stuffy quite worshipped her; Ned immediately fell to
work on a little refrigerator for her kitchen ; and Demi,
with a punctuality beautiful to see in one so young,
escorted her to the nursery just as the clock struck
five. It was not time for the party to begin, but he
begged so hard to come in and help that he was al-
lowed privileges few visitors enjoy, for he kindled the
fire, ran errands, and watched the progress of his
supper with intense interest. Mrs. Jo directed the
Patty Pans 85
affair as she came and went, being very busy putting
up clean curtains all over the house.
" Ask Asia for a cup of sour cream, then your cakes
will be light without much soda, which I don't like,"
was the first order.
Demi tore down-stairs, and returned with the
cream, also a puckered-up face, for he had tasted it
on his way, and found it so sour that he predicted
the cakes would be uneatable. Mrs. Jo took this oc-
casion to deliver a short lecture from the step-ladder
on the chemical properties of soda, to which Daisy
did not listen, but Demi did, and understood it, as he
proved by the brief but comprehensive reply,
"Yes, I see, soda turns sour things sweet, and the
fizzling up makes them light. Let 's see you do it,
Daisy."
" Fill that bowl nearly full of flour and add a little
salt to it," continued Mrs. Jo.
" Oh dear, every thing has to have salt in it, seems
to me," said Sally, who was tired of opening the pill-
box in which it was kept.
" Salt is like good-humor, and nearly every thing
is better for a pinch of it, Posy," and Uncle Fritz
stopped as he passed, hammer in hand, to drive up
two or three nails for Sally's little pans to hang on.
" You are not invited to tea, but I '11 give you some
cakes, and I won't be cross," said Daisy, putting up
her floury little face to thank him with a kiss.
" Fritz, you must not interrupt my cooking class,
or I '11 come in and moralize when you are teaching
Latin. How would you like that?' said Mrs. Jo,
throwing a great chintz curtain down on his head.
" Very much, try it and see," and the amiable
86 Little Men
Father Bhaer went singing and tapping about the
house like a mammoth woodpecker.
" Put the soda into the cream, and when it ' fizzles/
as Demi says, stir it into the flour, and beat it up as
hard as ever you can. Have your griddle hot, butter
it well, and then fry away till I come back," and Aunt
Jo vanished also.
Such a clatter as the little spoon made, and such a
beating as the batter got, it quite foamed, I assure
you ; and when Daisy poured some on to the griddle,
it rose like magic into a puffy flapjack, that made
Demi's mouth water. To be sure, the first one stuck
and scorched, because she forgot the butter, but after
that first failure all went well, and six capital little
cakes were safely landed in a dish.
" I think I 'd like maple-syrup better than sugar,"
said Demi from his arm-chair, where he had settled
himself after setting the table in a new and peculiar
manner.
" Then go and ask Asia for some," answered Daisy,
going into the bath-room to wash her hands.
While the nursery was empty something dreadful
happened. You see, Kit had been feeling hurt all
day because he had carried meat safely and yet got
none to pay him. He was not a bad dog, but he had
his little faults like the rest of us, and could not
always resist temptation. Happening to stroll into
the nursery at that moment, he smelt the cakes, saw
them unguarded on the low table, and never stopping
to think of consequences, swallowed all six at one
mouthful. I am glad to say that they were very hot,
and burned him so badly that he could not repress a
surprised yelp. Daisy heard it, ran in, saw the
Patty Pans 87
empty dish, also the end of a yellow tail disappearing
under the bed. Without a word she seized that tail,
pulled out the thief, and shook him till his ears flapped
wildly, then bundled him down-stairs to the shed,
where he spent a lonely evening in the coal-bin.
Cheered by the sympathy which Demi gave her,
Daisy made another bowlful of batter, and fried a
dozen cakes, which were even better than the others.
Indeed, Uncle Fritz after eating two sent up word
that he had never tasted any so nice, and every boy
at the table below envied Demi at the flapjack party
above.
It was a truly delightful supper, for the little teapot
lid only fell off three times, and the milk jug upset
but once ; the cakes floated in syrup, and the toast
had a delicious beef-steak flavor, owing to cook's
using the gridiron to make it on. Demi forgot phi-
losophy, and stuffed like any carnal boy, while Daisy
planned sumptuous banquets, and the dolls looked
on smiling affably.
"Well, dearies, have you had a good time?" asked
Mrs. Jo, coming up with Teddy on her shoulder.
" A very good time. I shall come again soon"
answered Demi, with emphasis.
" I 'm afraid you have eaten too much, by the look
of that table."
" No, I have n't ; I only ate fifteen cakes, and they
were very little ones," protested Demi, who had kept
his sister busy supplying his plate.
" They won't hurt him, they are so nice," said
Daisy, with such a funny mixture of maternal fond-
ness and housewifely pride that Aunt Jo could only
smile and say, -
88 Little Men
u Well, on the whole, the new game is a success,
then?"
"/ like it," said Demi, as if his approval was all
that was necessary.
" It is the dearest play ever made ! " cried Daisy,
hugging her little dish-tub as she proposed to wash
up the cups. " I just wish everybody had a sweet
cooking stove like mine," she added, regarding it with
affection.
"This play ought to have a name," said Demi,
gravely removing the syrup from his countenance
with his tongue.
" It has."
" Oh, what?" asked both children, eagerly.
"Well, I think we will call it Patty pans," and
Aunt Jo retired, satisfied with the success of her last
trap to catch a sunbeam.
CHAPTER VI
A FIRE BRAND
" I "VLEASE, ma'am, could I speak to you? It
1-^ is something very important," said Nat, pop-
JL ping his head in at the door of Mrs. Bhaer's
room.
It was the fifth head which had popped in during
the last half-hour; but Mrs. Jo was used to it, so she
looked up, and said briskly,
"What is it, my lad?"
Nat came in, shut the door carefully behind him,
and said in an eager, anxious tone,
" Dan has come."
"Who is Dan?"
" He 's a boy I used to know when I fiddled round
the streets. He sold papers, and he was kind to me,
and I saw him the other day in town, and told him
how nice it was here, and he 's come."
" But, my dear boy, that is rather a sudden way to
pay a visit."
" Oh, it is n't a visit ; he wants to stay if you will let
him ! " said Nat, innocently.
" Well, but I don't know about that," began
Mrs. Bhaer, rather startled by the coolness of the
proposition.
" Why, I thought you liked to have poor boys
come and live with you, and be kind to 'em as you
go Little Men
were to me," said Nat, looking surprised and
alarmed.
" So I do, but I like to know something about
them first. I have to choose them, because there are
so many. I have not room for all. I wish I had."
" I told him to come because I thought you 'd like
it, but if there is n't room he can go away again,"
said Nat, sorrowfully.
The boy's confidence in her hospitality touched
Mrs. Bhaer, and she could not find the heart to dis-
appoint his hope, and spoil his kind little plan, so
she said,
" Tell me about this Dan."
" I don't know any thing, only he has n't got any
folks, and he 's poor, and he was good to me, so I 'd
like to be good to him if I could."
" Excellent reasons every one ; but really, Nat, the
house is full, and I don't know where I could put him,"
said Mrs. Bhaer, more and more inclined to prove
herself the haven of refuge he seemed to think her.
" He could have my bed, and I could sleep in the
barn. It isn't cold now, and I don't mind, I used to
sleep anywhere with father," said Nat, eagerly.
Something in his speech and face made Mrs. Jo put
her hand on his shoulder, and say in her kindest tone :
" Bring in your friend, Nat ; I think we must find
room for him without giving him your place."
Nat joyfully ran off, and soon returned followed by
a most unprepossessing boy, who slouched in and
stood looking about him, with a half bold, half sullen
look, which made Mrs. Bhaer say to herself, after one
glance, -
" A bad specimen, I am afraid."
A Fire Brand 91
" This is Dan," said Nat, presenting him as if sure
of his welcome.
" Nat tells me you would like to come and stay with
us," began Mrs. Jo, in a friendly tone.
" Yes," was the gruff reply.
" Have you no friends to take care of you?"
" No."
" Say, ' No, ma'am,' ' whispered Nat.
" Shan't neither," muttered Dan.
" How old are you? '
" About fourteen."
" You look older. What can you do? '
" 'Most any thing."
" If you stay here we shall want you to do as the
others do, work and study as well as play. Are you
willing to agree to that?'
" Don't mind trying."
"Well, you can stay a few days, and we will see
how we get on together. Take him out, Nat, and
amuse him till Mr. Bhaer comes home, when we will
settle about the matter," said Mrs. Jo, finding it rather
difficult to get on with this cool young person, who
fixed his big black eyes on her with a hard, suspicious
expression, sorrowfully unboyish.
" Come on, Nat," he said, and slouched out again.
"Thank you, ma'am," added Nat, as he followed
him, feeling without quite understanding the differ-
ence in the welcome given to him and to his un-
gracious friend.
" The fellows are having a circus out in the barn ;
don't you want to come and see it?' he asked, as
they came down the wide steps on to the lawn.
" Are they big fellows? " said Dan.
92 Little Men
" No; the big ones are gone fishing."
" Fire away, then," said Dan.
Nat led him to the great barn and introduced him
to his set, who were disporting themselves among the
half-empty lofts. A large circle was marked out
with hay on the wide floor, and in the middle stood
Demi with a long whip, while Tommy, mounted on
the much-enduring Toby, pranced about the circle
playing being a monkey.
" You must pay a pin apiece, or you can't see the
show," said Stuffy, who stood by the wheelbarrow in
which sat the band, consisting of a pocket-comb
blown upon by Ned, and a toy drum beaten spas-
modically by Rob.
" He 's company, so I '11 pay for both," said Nat,
handsomely, as he stuck two crooked pins in the
dried mushroom which served as money-box.
With a nod to the company they seated themselves
on a couple of boards, and the performance went on.
After the monkey act, Ned gave them a fine specimen
of his agility by jumping over an old chair, and run-
ning up and down ladders, sailor fashion. Then Demi
danced a jig with a gravity beautiful to behold. Nat
was called upon to wrestle with Stuffy, and speedily
laid that stout youth upon the ground. After this,
Tommy proudly advanced to turn a somersault, an
accomplishment which he had acquired by painful
perseverance, practising in private till every joint of
his little frame was black and blue. His feats were
received with great applause, and he was about to re-
tire, flushed with pride and a rush of blood to the
head, when a scornful voice in the audience was heard
to say,
A Fire Brand 93
" Ho ! that ain't any thing ! "
" Say that again, will you ? ' and Tommy bristled
up like an angry turkey-cock.
"Do you want to fight? " said Dan, promptly de-
scending from the barrel and doubling up his fists
in a business-like manner.
" No, I don't; ' and the candid Thomas retired a
step, rather taken aback by the proposition.
"Fighting isn't allowed!" cried the others, much
excited.
" You 're a nice lot," sneered Dan.
"Come, if you don't behave, you shan't stay," said
Nat, firing up at that insult to his friends.
" I 'd like to see him do better than I did, that 's
all," observed Tommy, with a swagger.
" Clear the way, then," and without the slightest
preparation Dan turned three somersaults one after
the other and came up on his feet.
" You can't beat that, Tom ; you always hit your
head and tumble flat," said Nat, pleased at his friend's
success.
Before he could say any more the audience were
electrified by three more somersaults backwards, and
a short promenade on the hands, head down, feet up.
This brought down the house, and Tommy joined in
the admiring cries which greeted the accomplished
gymnast as he righted himself, and looked at them
with an air of calm superiority.
" Do you think I could learn to do it without its
hurting me very much ? ' Tom meekly asked, as he
rubbed the elbows which still smarted after the last
attempt.
"What will you give me if I '11 teach you? " said
Dan,
94 Little Men
" My new jack-knife ; it's got five blades, and only
one is broken."
" Give it here, then."
Tommy handed it over with an affectionate look at
its smooth handle. Dan examined it carefully, then
putting it into his pocket, walked off, saying with a
wink, -
" Keep it up till you learn, that's all."
A howl of wrath from Tommy was followed by a
general uproar, which did not subside till Dan, finding
himself in a minority, proposed that they should play
stick-knife, and whichever won should have the
treasure. Tommy agreed, and the game was played
in a circle of excited faces, which all wore an expres-
sion of satisfaction, when Tommy won and secured
the knife in the depth of his safest pocket.
" You come off with me, and I '11 show you round,"
said Nat, feeling that he must have a little serious
conversation with his friend in private.
What passed between them no one knew, but when
they appeared again, Dan was more respectful to
every one, though still gruff in his speech, and rough
in his manner ; and what else could be expected of
the poor lad who had been knocking about the world
all his short life with no one to teach him any better?
The boys had decided that they did not like him,
and so they left him to Nat, who soon felt rather op-
pressed by the responsibility, but was too kind-hearted
to desert him.
Tommy, however, felt that in spite of the jack-knife
transaction, there was a bond of sympathy between
them, and longed to return to the interesting subject
of somersaults. He soon found an opportunity, for
A Fire Brand 95
Dan, seeing how much he admired him, grew more
amiable, and by the end of the first week was quite
intimate with the lively Tom.
Mr. Bhaer, when he heard the story and saw Dan,
shook his head, but only said quietly, -
" The experiment may cost us something, but we
will try it."
If Dan felt any gratitude for his protection, he did
not show it, and took without thanks all that was
given him. He was ignorant, but very quick to learn
when he chose ; had sharp eyes to watch what went
on about him ; a saucy tongue, rough manners, and
a temper that was fierce and sullen by turns. He
played with all his might, and played well at almost
all the games. He was silent and gruff before grown
people, and only now and then was thoroughly social
among the lads. Few of them really liked him, but
few could help admiring his courage and strength,
for nothing daunted him, and he knocked tall Franz
flat on one occasion with an ease that caused all the
others to keep at a respectful distance from his fists.
Mr. Bhaer watched him silently, and did his best to
tame the " Wild Boy," as they called him, but in
private the worthy man shook his head, and said
soberly, " I hope the experiment will turn out well,
but I am a little afraid it may cost too much."
Mrs. Bhaer lost her patience with him half a dozen
times a day, yet never gave him up, and always in-
sisted that there was something good in the lad, after
all ; for he was kinder to animals than to people, he
liked to rove about in the woods, and, best of all,
little Ted was fond of him. What the secret was no
one could discover, but Baby took to him at once
9 6
Little Men
gabbled and crowed whenever he saw him preferred
his strong back to ride on to any of the others and
called him " My Danny" out of his own little head.
Teddy was the only creature to whom Dan showed
any affection, and this was only manifested when he
thought no one else could see it; but mothers' eyes
are quick, and motherly hearts instinctively divine
who love their babies. So Mrs. Jo soon saw and felt
that there was a soft spot in rough Dan, and bided
her time to touch and win him.
But an unexpected and decidedly alarming event
upset all their plans, and banished Dan from Plum-
field.
Tommy, Nat, and Demi began by patronizing Dan,
because the other lads rather slighted him ; but soon
they each felt there was a certain fascination about
the bad boy, and from looking down upon him they
came to looking up, each for a different reason.
Tommy admired his skill and courage ; Nat was
grateful for past kindness ; and Demi regarded him
as a sort of animated story book, for when he chose
Dan could tell his adventures in a most interesting
way. It pleased Dan to have the three favorites like
him, and he exerted himself to be agreeable, which
was the secret of his success.
The Bhaers were surprised, but hoped the lads
would have a good influence over Dan, and waited
with some anxiety, trusting that no harm would come
of it.
Dan felt they did not quite trust him, and never
showed them his best side, but took a wilful pleasure
in trying their patience and thwarting their hopes as
far as he dared.
A Fire Brand 97
Mr. Bhaer did not approve of fighting, and did not
think it a proof of either manliness or courage for
two lads to pommel one another for the amusement
of the rest. All sorts of hardy games and exercises
were encouraged, and the boys were expected to take
hard knocks and tumbles without whining ; but black
eyes and bloody noses given for the fun of it were
forbidden as a foolish and a brutal play.
Dan laughed at this rule, and told such exciting
tales of his own valor, and the many frays that he
had been in, that some of the lads were fired with a
desire to have a regular good " mill."
"Don't tell, and I'll show you how," said Dan;
and, getting half a dozen of the lads together behind
the barn, he gave them a lesson in boxing, which
quite satisfied the ardor of most of them. Emil, how-
ever, could not submit to be beaten by a fellow
younger than himself, for Emil was past fourteen,
and a plucky fellow, so he challenged Dan to a
fight. Dan accepted at once, and the others looked
on with intense interest.
What little bird carried the news to head-quarters
no one ever knew, but, in the very hottest of the fray,
when Dan and Emil were fighting like a pair of
young bull-dogs, and the others with fierce, excited
faces were cheering them on, Mr. Bhaer walked into
the ring, plucked the combatants apart with a strong
hand, and said, in the voice they seldom heard,
" I can't allow this, boys ! Stop it at once ; and
never let me see it again. I keep a school for boys,
not for wild beasts. Look at each other and be
ashamed of yourselves."
" You let me go, and I '11 knock him down again/'
7
9 8
Little Men
shouted Dan, sparring away in spite of the grip on
his collar.
" Come on, come on, I ain't thrashed yet ! " cried
Emil, who had been down five times, but did not
know when he was beaten.
" They are playing be gladdy what-you-call-'ems,
like the Romans, Uncle Fritz," called out Demi,
whose eyes were bigger than ever with the excite-
ment of this new pastime.
" They were a fine set of brutes ; but we have
learned something since then, I hope, and I cannot
have you make my barn a Colosseum. Who pro-
posed this?' asked Mr. Bhaer.
" Dan," answered several voices.
" Don't you know that it is forbidden?"
" Yes," growled Dan, sullenly.
"Then why break the rule?'
" They '11 all be molly-coddles, if they don't know
how to fight."
" Have you found Emil a molly-coddle? He
does n't look much like one," and Mr. Bhaer brought
the two face to face. Dan had a black eye, and his
jacket was torn to rags ; but Emil's face was covered
with blood from a cut lip and a bruised nose, while a
bump on his forehead was already as purple as a
plum. In spite of his wounds however, he still
glared upon his foe, and evidently panted to renew
the fight.
" He 'd make a first-rater if he was taught," said
Dan, unable to withhold the praise from the boy who
made it necessary for him to do his best.
" He '11 be taught to fence and box by and by, and
till then I think he will do very well without any
A Fire Brand 99
lessons in mauling. Go and wash your faces ; and
remember, Dan, if you break any more of the rules
again, you will be sent away. That was the bargain ;
do your part and we will do ours."
The lads went off, and after a few more words to
the spectators, Mr. Bhaer followed to bind up the
wounds of the young gladiators. Emil went to bed
sick, and Dan was an unpleasant spectacle for a week.
But the lawless lad had no thought of obeying, and
soon transgressed again.
One Saturday afternoon as a party of the boys went
out to play, Tommy said,
" Let's go down to the river, and cut a lot of new
fish-poles."
" Take Toby to drag them back, and one of us can
ride him down," proposed Stuffy, who hated to walk.
" That means you, I suppose ; well, hurry up, lazy-
bones," said Dan.
Away they went, and having got the poles were
about to go home, when Demi unluckily said to
Tommy, who was on Toby with a long rod in his
hand,
" You look like the picture of the man in the bull-
fight, only you have n't got a red cloth, or pretty
clothes on."
" I 'd like to see one ; would n't you ? " said Tommy,
shaking his lance.
" Let 's have one ; there 's old Buttercup in the big
meadow, ride at her, Tom, and see her run," proposed
Dan, bent on mischief.
" No, you must n't," began Demi, who was learning
to distrust Dan's propositions.
" Why not, little fuss-button? " demanded Dan,
ioo Little Men
" I don't think Uncle Fritz would like it."
" Did he ever say we must not have a bull-fight?'
" No, I don't think he ever did," admitted Demi.
" Then hold your tongue. Drive on, Tom, and
here 's a red rag to flap at the old thing. I '11 help
you to stir her up," and over the wall went Dan, full
of the new game, and the rest followed like a flock
of sheep ; even Demi, who sat upon the bars, and
watched the fun with interest.
Poor Buttercup was not in a very good mood, for
she had been lately bereft of her calf, and mourned
for the little thing most dismally. Just now she re-
garded all mankind as her enemies (and I do not
blame her), so when the matadore came prancing
towards her with the red handkerchief flying at the
end of his long lance, she threw up her head, and
gave a most appropriate " Moo ! ' Tommy rode
gallantly at her, and Toby, recognizing an old friend,
was quite willing to approach ; but when the lance
came down on her back with a loud whack, both cow
and donkey were surprised and disgusted. Toby
backed with a bray of remonstrance, and Buttercup
lowered her horns angrily.
" At her again, Tom ; she 's jolly cross, and will do
it capitally ! ' called Dan, coming up behind with
another rod, while Jack and Ned followed his example.
Seeing herself thus beset, and treated with such
disrespect, Buttercup trotted round the field, getting
more and more bewildered and excited every moment,
for whichever way she turned, there was a dreadful
boy, yelling and brandishing a new and very disagree-
able sort of whip. It was great fun for them, but
real misery for her, till she lost patience and turned
A Fire Brand 10 i
the tables in the most unexpected manner. All at
once she wheeled short round, and charged full at her
old friend Toby, whose conduct cut her to the heart.
Poor slow Toby backed so precipitately that he
tripped over a stone, and down went horse, matadore,
and all, in one ignominious heap, while distracted
Buttercup took a surprising leap over the wall, and
galloped wildly out of sight down the road.
" Catch her, stop her, head her off! run, boys, run ! '
shouted Dan, tearing after her at his best pace, for
she was Mr. Bhaer's pet Alderney, and if anything
happened to her, Dan feared it would be all over with
him. Such a running and racing and bawling and
puffing as there was before she was caught! The
fish-poles were left behind ; Toby was trotted nearly
off his legs in the chase ; and every boy was red,
breathless, and scared. They found poor Buttercup
at last in a flower garden, where she had taken refuge,
worn out with the long run. Borrowing a rope for a
halter, Dan led her home, followed by a party of very
sober young gentlemen, for the cow was in a sad
state, having strained her shoulder in jumping, so
that she limped, her eyes looked wild, and her glossy
coat was wet and muddy.
" You '11 catch it this time, Dan," said Tommy, as
he led the wheezing donkey beside the maltreated
cow.
" So will you, for you helped."
" We all did, but Demi," added Jack.
" He put it into our heads," said Ned.
" I told you not to do it," cried Demi, who was
most broken-hearted at poor Buttercup's state.
" Old Bhaer will send me off, I guess. Don't care
io2 Little Men
if he does," muttered Dan, looking worried in spite
of his words.
" We '11 ask him not to, all of us," said Demi, and
the others assented with the exception of Stuffy, who
cherished the hope that all the punishment might fall
on one guilty head. Dan only said, " Don't bother
about me; " but he never forgot it, even though he
led the lads astray again, as soon as the temptation
came.
When Mr. Bhaer saw the animal, and heard the
story, he said very little, evidently fearing that he
should say too much in the first moments of impa-
tience. Buttercup was made comfortable in her stall,
and the boys sent to their rooms till supper-time.
This brief respite gave them time to think the matter
over, to wonder what the penalty would be, and to
try to imagine where Dan would be sent. He whis-
tled briskly in his room, so that no one should think
he cared a bit ; but while he waited to know his fate,
the longing to stay grew stronger and stronger, the
more he recalled the comfort and kindness he had
known here, the hardship and neglect he had felt
elsewhere. He knew they tried to help him, and at
the bottom of his heart he was grateful, but his rough
life had made him hard and careless, suspicious and
wilful. He hated restraint of any sort, and fought
against it like an untamed creature, even while he
knew it was kindly meant, and dimly felt that he
would be the better for it. He made up his mind to
be turned adrift again, to knock about the city as he
had done nearly all his life ; a prospect that made
him knit his black brows, and look about the cosy
little room with a wistful expression that would have
A Fire Brand 103
touched a much harder heart than Mr. Bhaer's if he
had seen it. It vanished instantly, however, when
the good man came in, and said in his accustomed
grave way,
" I have heard all about it, Dan, and though you
have broken the rules again, I am going to give you
one more trial, to please Mother Bhaer."
Dan flushed up to his forehead at this unexpected
reprieve, but he only said in his gruff way, -
" I did n't know there was any rule about bull-
fighting."
" As I never expected to have any at Plumfield, I
never did make such a rule," answered Mr. Bhaer,
smiling in spite of himself at the boy's excuse. Then
he added gravely, " But one of the first and most
important of our few laws is the law of kindness to
every dumb creature on the place. I want every-
body and every thing to be happy here, to love, and
trust, and serve us, as we try to love and trust and
serve them faithfully and willingly. I have often
said that you were kinder to the animals than any of
the other boys, and Mrs. Bhaer liked that trait in you
very much, because she thought it showed a good heart.
But you have disappointed us in that, and we are
sorry, for we hoped to make you quite one of us.
Shall we try again?"
Dan's eyes had been on the floor, and his hands
nervously picking at the bit of wood he had been
whittling as Mr. Bhaer came in, but when he heard
the kind voice ask that question, he looked up
quickly, and said in a more respectful tone than he
had ever used before, -
" Yes, please."
104 Little Men
" Very well, then, we will say no more, only you
will stay at home from the walk to-morrow, as the
other boys willl and all of you must wait on poor
Buttercup till she is well again."
" I will."
" Now, go down to supper, and do your best, my
boy, more for your own sake than for ours." Then
Mr. Bhaer shook hands with him, and Dan went down
more tamed by kindness than he would have been
by the good whipping which Asia had strongly
recommended.
Dan did try for a day or two, but not being used
to it, he soon tired and relapsed into his old wilful
ways. Mr. Bhaer was called from home on business
one day, and the boys had no lessons. They liked
this, and played hard till bedtime, when most of
them turned in and slept like dormice. Dan, how-
ever, had a plan in his head, and when he and Nat
were alone, he unfolded it.
" Look here ! " he said, taking from under his bed
a bottle, a cigar, and a pack of cards, " I 'm going to
have some fun, and do as I used to with the fellows
in town. Here 's some beer, I got it of the old man
at the station, and this cigar; you can pay for 'em, or
Tommy will, he 's got heaps of money, and I have n't
a cent. I 'm going to ask him in ; no, you go, they
won't mind you."
" The folks won't like it," began Nat.
" They won't know. Daddy Bhaer is away, and
Mrs. Bhaer 's busy with Ted; he's got croup or
something, and she can't leave him. We shan't
sit up late or make any noise, so where 's the
harm?"
A Fire Brand 105
" Asia will know if we burn the lamp long, she
always does."
" No, she won't, I Ve got the dark lantern on pur-
pose ; it don't give much light, and we can shut it
quick if we hear any one coming," said Dan.
This idea struck Nat as a fine one, and lent an air
of romance to the thing. He started off to tell
Tommy, but put his head in again to say,
" You want Demi, too, don't you? '
" No, I don't ; the Deacon will roll up eyes and
preach if you tell him. He will be asleep, so just tip
the wink to Tom and cut back again."
Nat obeyed, and returned in a minute with Tommy
half dressed, rather tousled about the head and very
sleepy, but quite ready for fun as usual.
" Now, keep quiet, and I '11 show you how to play
a first-rate game called ' Poker/ said Dan, as the
three revellers gathered round the table, on which
were set forth the bottle, the cigar, and the cards.
" First we '11 all have a drink, then we '11 take a go at
the * weed/ and then we '11 play. That 's the way
men do, and it's jolly fun."
The beer circulated in a mug, and all three
smacked their lips over it, though Nat and Tommy
did not like the bitter stuff. The cigar was worse
still, but they dared not say so, and each puffed away
till he was dizzy or choked, when he passed the
" weed ' on to his neighbor. Dan liked it, for it
seemed like old times when he now and then had a
chance to imitate the low men who surrounded him.
He drank, and smoked, and swaggered as much like
them as he could, and, getting into the spirit of the
part he assumed, he soon began to swear under his
io6 Little Men
breath for fear some one should hear him. " You
must n't ; it 's wicked to say ' Damn ' ! " cried Tommy,
who had followed his leader so far.
" Oh, hang! don't you preach, but play away; it's
part of the fun to swear."
" I 'd rather say ' thunder - - turtles,' ' said Tommy,
who had composed this interesting exclamation and
was very proud of it.
" And I '11 say ' The Devil ; ' that sounds well,"
added Nat, much impressed by Dan's manly ways.
Dan scoffed at their " nonsense," and swore stoutly
as he tried to teach them the new game.
But Tommy was very sleepy, and Nat's head began
to ache with the beer and the smoke, so neither of
them was very quick to learn, and the game dragged.
The room was nearly dark, for the lantern burned
badly; they could not laugh loud nor move about
much, for Silas slept next door in the shed-chamber,
and altogether the party was dull. In the middle of
a deal Dan stopped suddenly, called out, " Who 's
that?' in a startled tone, and at the same moment
drew the slide over the light. A voice in the dark-
ness said tremulously, " I can't find Tommy," and
then there was the quick patter of bare feet running
away down the entry that led from the wing to the
main house.
" It's Demi ! he 's gone to call some one; cut into
bed, Tom, and don't tell ! ' cried Dan, whisking all
signs of the revel out of sight, and beginning to tear
off his clothes, while Nat did the same.
Tommy flew to his room and dived into bed, where
he lay laughing till something burned his hand, when
he discovered that he was still clutching the stump
A Fire Brand 107
of the festive cigar, which he happened to be smoking
when the revel broke up.
It was nearly out, and he was about to extinguish
it carefully when Nursey's voice was heard, and fear-
ing it would betray him if he hid it in the bed, he
threw it underneath, after a final pinch which he
thought finished it.
Nursey came in with Demi, who looked much
amazed to see the red face of Tommy reposing peace-
fully upon his pillow.
" He was n't there just now, because I woke up and
could not find him anywhere," said Demi, pouncing
on him.
" What mischief are you at now, bad child? " asked
Nursey, with a good-natured shake, which made the
sleeper open his eyes to say meekly,
" I only ran into Nat's room to see him about
something. Go away, and let me alone ; I 'm awful
sleepy."
Nursey tucked Demi in, and went off to reconnoitre,
but only found two boys slumbering peacefully in
Dan's room. " Some little frolic," she thought, and as
there was no harm done she said nothing to Mrs.
Bhaer, who was busy and worried over little Teddy.
Tommy was sleepy, and telling Demi to mind his
own business and not ask questions, he was snoring
in ten minutes, little dreaming what was going on
under his bed. The cigar did not go out, but smoul-
dered away on the straw carpet till it was nicely on
fire, and a hungry little flame went creeping along till
the dimity bedcover caught, then the sheets, and then
the bed itself. The beer made Tommy sleep heavily,
and the smoke stupefied Demi, so they slept on till
io8 Little Men
the fire began to scorch them, and they were in dan-
ger of being burned to death.
Franz was sitting up to study, and as he left the
school-room he smelt the smoke, dashed up-stairs and
saw it coming in a cloud from the left wing of the
house. Without stopping to call any one, he ran
into the room, dragged the boys from the blazing
bed, and splashed all the water he could find at hand
on to the flames. It checked but did not quench the
fire, and the children, wakened on being tumbled
topsy-turvy into a cold hall, began to roar at the top
of their voices. Mrs. Bhaer instantly appeared, and
a minute after Silas burst out of his room shouting
"Fire! " in a tone that raised the whole house. A
flock of white goblins with scared faces crowded into
the hall, and for a minute every one was panic-
stricken.
Then Mrs. Bhaer found her wits, bade Nursey see
to the burnt boys, and sent Franz and Silas down-stairs
for some tubs of wet clothes which she flung on to
the bed, over the carpet, and up against the curtains,
now burning finely, and threatening to kindle the
walls.
Most of the boys stood dumbly looking on, but
Dan and Emil worked bravely, running to and fro
with water from the bath-room, and helping to pull
down the dangerous curtains.
The peril was soon over, and ordering the boys all
back to bed, and leaving Silas to watch lest the fire
broke out again, Mrs. Bhaer and Franz went to see
how the poor boys got on. Demi had escaped with
one burn and a grand scare, but Tommy had not only
most of his hair scorched off his head, but a great
A Fire Brand 109
burn on his arm, that made him half crazy with the
pain. Demi was soon made cosy, and Franz took
him away to his own bed, where the kind lad soothed
his fright and hummed him to sleep as cosily as a
woman. Nursey watched over poor Tommy all night,
trying to ease his misery, and Mrs. Bhaer vibrated
between him and little Teddy with oil and cotton,
paregoric and squills, saying to herself from time to
time, as if she found great amusement in the thought,
' I always knew Tommy would set the house on fire,
and now he has done it ! '
When Mr. Bhaer got home next morning he found
a nice state of things. Tommy in bed, Teddy wheez-
ing like a little grampus, Mrs. Jo quite used up, and
the whole flock of boys so excited that they all
talked at once, and almost dragged him by main
force to view the ruins. Under his quiet management
things soon fell into order, for every one felt that he
was equal to a dozen conflagrations, and worked with
a will at whatever task he gave them.
There was no school that morning, but by after-
noon the damaged room was put to rights, the in-
valids were better, and there was time to hear and
judge the little culprits quietly. Nat and Tommy
told their parts in the mischief, and were honestly
sorry for the danger they had brought to the dear
old house and all in it. But Dan put on his devil-
may-care look, and would not own that there was
much harm done.
Now, of all things, Mr. Bhaer hated drinking, gam-
bling, and swearing; smoking he had given up that
the lads might not be tempted to try it, and it grieved
and angered him deeply to find that the boy, with
i io Little Men
whom he had tried to be most forbearing, should take
advantage of his absence to introduce these forbidden
vices, and teach his innocent little lads to think it
manly and pleasant to indulge in them. He talked
long and earnestly to the assembled boys, and ended
by saying, with an air of mingled firmness and
regret, -
" I think Tommy is punished enough, and that
scar on his arm will remind him for a long time to
let these things alone. Nat's fright will do for him,
for he is really sorry, and does try to obey me. But
you, Dan, have been many times forgiven, and yet it
does no good. I cannot have my boys hurt by your
bad example, nor my time wasted in talking to deaf
ears, so you can say good-by to them all, and tell
Nursey to put up your things in my little black bag."
" Oh ! sir, where is he going?" cried Nat.
" To a pleasant place up in the country, where I
sometimes send boys when they don't do well here.
Mr. Page is a kind man, and Dan will be happy there
if he chooses to do his best."
" Will he ever come back?" asked Demi.
" That will depend on himself; I hope so."
As he spoke, Mr. Bhaer left the room to write his
letter to Mr. Page, and the boys crowded round Dan
very much as people do about a man who is going
on a long and perilous journey to unknown regions.
" I wonder if you '11 like it," began Jack.
" Shan't stay if I don't," said Dan, coolly.
"Where will you go?" asked Nat.
" I may go to sea, or out west, or take a look at
California," answered Dan, with a reckless air that
quite took away the breath of the little boys.
A Fire Brand 1 1 1
" Oh, don't ! stay with Mr. Page awhile and then
come back here ; do, Dan," pleaded Nat, much
affected at the whole affair.
" I don't care where I go, or how long I stay, and
I '11 be hanged if I ever come back here," with which
wrathful speech Dan went away to put up his things,
every one of which Mr. Bhaer had given him.
That was the only good-by he gave the boys, for
they were all talking the matter over in the barn
when he came down, and he told Nat not to call
them. The wagon stood at the door, and Mrs.
Bhaer came out to speak to Dan, looking so sad that
his heart smote him, and he said in a low tone,
" May I say good-by to Teddy? '
" Yes, dear; go in and kiss him, he will miss his
Danny very much."
No one saw the look in Dan's eyes as he stooped
over the crib, and saw the little face light up at
first sight of him, but he heard Mrs. Bhaer say
pleadingly, -
u Can't we give the poor lad one more trial, Fritz? '
and Mr. Bhaer answer in his steady way,
" My dear, it is not best, so let him go where he
can do no harm to others, while they do good to
him, and by and by he shall come back, I promise
you."
" He 's the only boy we ever failed with, and I am
so grieved, for I thought there was the making of a
fine man in him, spite of his faults."
Dan heard Mrs. Bhaer sigh, and he wanted to ask
for one more trial himself, but his pride would not let
him, and he came out with the hard look on his face,
shook hands without a word, and drove away with
112
Little Men
Mr. Bhaer, leaving Nat and Mrs. Jo to look after him
with tears in their eyes.
A few days afterwards they received a letter from
Mr. Page, saying that Dan was doing well, whereat
they all rejoiced. But three weeks later came
another letter, saying that Dan had run away, and
nothing had been heard of him, whereat they all
looked sober, and Mr. Bhaer said,
" Perhaps I ought to have given him another
chance."
Mrs. Bhaer, however, nodded wisely and answered,
" Don't be troubled, Fritz ; the boy will come back to
us, I 'm sure of it."
But time went on and no Dan came.
F
CHAPTER VII
NAUGHTY NAN
>RITZ, I Ve got a new idea," cried Mrs. Bhaer,
as she met her husband one day after
school.
"Well, my dear, what is it?" and he waited will-
ingly to hear the new plan, for some of Mrs. Jo's ideas
were so droll, it was impossible to help laughing at
them, though usually they were quite sensible, and
he was glad to carry them out.
" Daisy needs a companion, and the boys would be
all the better for another girl among them ; you
know we believe in bringing up little men and women
together, and it is high time we acted up to our
belief. They pet and tyrannize over Daisy by turns,
and she is getting spoilt. Then they must learn
gentle ways, and improve their manners, and having
girls about will do it better than any thing else."
" You are right, as usual. Now, who shall we
have?' asked Mr. Bhaer, seeing by the look in
her eye that Mrs. Jo had some one all ready to
propose.
" Little Annie Harding."
"What! Naughty Nan, as the lads call her?"
cried Mr. Bhaer, looking very much amused.
" Yes, she is running wild at home since her
8
ii4 Little Men
mother died, and is too bright a child to be spoilt by
servants. I have had my eye on her for some time,
and when I met her father in town the other day I
asked him why he did not send her to school. He
said he would gladly if he could find as good a
school for girls as ours was for boys. I know he
would rejoice to have her come ; so suppose we drive
over this afternoon and see about it."
" Have not you cares enough now, my Jo, without
this little gypsy to torment you ? " asked Mr. Bhaer,
patting the hand that lay on his arm.
" Oh dear, no," said Mother Bhaer, briskly. " I
like it, and never was happier than since I had my
wilderness of boys. You see, Fritz, I feel a great
sympathy for Nan, because I was such a naughty
child myself that I know all about it. She is full of
spirits, and only needs to be taught what to do with
them to be as nice a little girl as Daisy. Those
quick wits of hers would enjoy lessons if they were
rightly directed, and what is now a tricksy midget
would soon become a busy, happy child. I know
how to manage her, for I remember how rny blessed
mother managed me, and '
" And if you succeed half as well as she did, you
will have done a magnificent work," interrupted Mr.
Bhaer, who labored under the delusion that Mrs. B.
was the best and most charming woman alive.
" Now, if you make fun of my plan I '11 give you
bad coffee for a week, and then where are you, sir?'
cried Mrs. Jo, tweaking him by the ear just as if he
was one of the boys.
" Won't Daisy's hair stand erect with horror at
Nan's wild ways?" asked Mr. Bhaer, presently, when
Naughty Nan 115
Teddy had swarmed up his waistcoat, and Rob up
his back, for they always flew at their father the
minute school was done.
" At first, perhaps, but it will do Posy good. She
is getting prim and Bettyish, and needs stirring up a
bit. She always has a good time when Nan comes
over to play, and the two will help each other without
knowing it. Dear me, half the science of teaching is
knowing how much children do for one another, and
when to mix them."
" I only hope she won't turn out another firebrand."
" My poor Dan ! I never can quite forgive myself
for letting him go," sighed Mrs. Bhaer.
At the sound of the name, little Teddy, who had
never forgotten his friend, struggled down from his
father's arms, and trotted to the door, looked out over
the sunny lawn with a wistful face, and then trotted
back again, saying, as he always did when disap-
pointed of the longed-for sight,
" My Danny's tummin' soon."
" I really think we ought to have kept him, if only
for Teddy's sake, he was so fond of him, and perhaps
baby's love would have done for him what we failed
to do."
" I Ve sometimes felt that myself; but after keep-
ing the boys in a ferment, and nearly burning up the
whole family, I thought it safer to remove the fire-
brand, for a time at least," said Mr. Bhaer.
" Dinner's ready, let me ring the bell," and Rob
began a solo upon that instrument which made it im-
possible to hear one's self speak.
"Then I may have Nan, may I? " asked Mrs. Jo.
" A dozen Nans if you want them, my dear," an-
1 1 6 Little Men
swered Mr. Bhaer, who had room in his fatherly
heart for all the naughty neglected children in the
world.
When Mrs. Bhaer returned from her drive that
afternoon, before she could unpack the load of little
boys, without whom she seldom moved, a small girl
of ten skipped out at the back of the carry-all, and
ran into the house, shouting,
" Hi, Daisy ! where are you? '
Daisy came, and looked pleased to see her guest,
but also a trifle alarmed, when Nan said, still pranc-
ing, as if it was impossible to keep still,
" I 'm going to stay here always, papa says I may,
and my box is coming to-morrow, all my things had
to be washed and mended, and your aunt came and
carried me off. Is n't it great fun ?"
" Why, yes. Did you bring your big doll? " asked
Daisy, hoping she had, for on the last visit Nan had
ravaged the baby house, and insisted on washing
Blanche Matilda's plaster face, which spoilt the poor
dear's complexion for ever.
" Yes, she 's somewhere round," returned Nan, with
most unmaternal carelessness. " I made you a ring
coming along, and pulled the hairs out of Dobbin's
tail. Don't you want it?' and Nan presented a
horse-hair ring in token of friendship, as they had
both vowed they would never speak to one another
again when they last parted.
Won by the beauty of the offering, Daisy grew more
cordial, and proposed retiring to the nursery, but Nan
said, " No, I want to see the boys, and the barn," and
ran off, swinging her hat by one string till it broke,
when she left it to its fate on the grass.
Naughty Nan 117
" Hullo ! Nan ! " cried the boys as she bounced in
among them with the announcement, -
" I 'm going to stay."
" Hooray ! " bawled Tommy from the wall on which
he was perched, for Nan was a kindred spirit, and he
foresaw " larks ' in the future.
" I can bat; let me play," said Nan, who could turn
her hand to any thing, and did not mind hard knocks.
" We ain't playing now, and our side beat without
you."
" I can beat you in running, any way," returned
Nan, falling back on her strong point.
" Can she? " asked Nat of Jack.
" She runs very well for a girl," answered Jack,
who looked down upon Nan with condescending
approval.
"Will you try?" said Nan, longing to display her
powers.
" It 's too hot," and Tommy languished against the
wall as if quite exhausted.
" What's the matter with Stuffy?" asked Nan,
whose quick eyes were roving from face to face.
" Ball hurt his hand ; he howls at every thing,"
answered Jack, scornfully.
" I don't, I never cry, no matter how much I 'm
hurt; it's babyish," said Nan, loftily.
" Pooh ! I could make you cry in two minutes,"
returned Stuffy, rousing up.
" See if you can."
" Go and pick that bunch of nettles, then," and
Stuffy pointed to a sturdy specimen of that prickly
plant growing by the wall.
Nan instantly " grasped the nettle," pulled it up,
1 1 8 Little Men
and held it with a defiant gesture, in spite of the
almost unbearable sting.
" Good for you," cried the boys, quick to acknowl-
edge courage even in one of the weaker sex.
More nettled than she was, Stuffy determined to
get a cry out of her somehow, and he said tauntingly,
" You are used to poking your hands into everything,
so that is n't fair. Now go and bump your head real
hard against the barn, and see if you don't howl
then."
" Don't do it," said Nat, who hated cruelty.
But Nan was off, and running straight at the barn,
she gave her head a blow that knocked her flat, and
sounded like a battering-ram. Dizzy, but undaunted,
she staggered up, saying stoutly, though her face was
drawn with pain,
" That hurt, but I don't cry."
" Do it again," said Stuffy, angrily ; and Nan would
have done it, but Nat held her; and Tommy, forget-
ting the heat, flew at Stuffy like a little game-cock, roar-
ing out,
" Stop it, or I '11 throw you over the barn ! " and so
shook and hustled poor Stuffy that for a minute he
did not know whether he was on his head or his heels.
" She told me to," was all he could say, when Tommy
let him alone.
" Never mind if she did ; it is awfully mean to hurt
a little girl," said Demi, reproachfully.
" Ho ! I don't mind ; I ain't a little girl, I 'm older
than you and Daisy; so now," cried Nan, ungratefully.
" Don't preach, Deacon, you bully Posy every day
of your life," called out the Commodore, who just
then hove in sight.
Naughty Nan 119
" I don't hurt her; do I, Daisy?" and Demi turned
to his sister, who was " pooring ' Nan's tingling
hands, and recommending water for the purple lump
rapidly developing itself on her forehead.
" You are the best boy in the world," promptly
answered Daisy ; adding, as truth compelled her to
do, " You do hurt me sometimes, but you don't
mean to."
" Put away the bats and things, and mind what you
are about, my hearties. No fighting allowed aboard
this ship," said Emil, who rather lorded it over the
others.
"How do you do, Madge Wildfire?" said Mr.
Bhaer, as Nan came in with the rest to supper.
" Give the right hand, little daughter, and mind thy
manners," he added, as Nan offered him her left.
" The other hurts me."
" The poor little hand ! what has it been doing to
get those blisters?' he asked, drawing it from be-
hind her back, where she had put it with a look
which made him think she had been in mischief.
Before Nan could think of any excuse, Daisy
burst out with the whole story, during which Stuffy
tried to hide his face in a bowl of bread and milk.
When the tale was finished, Mr. Bhaer looked down
the long table towards his wife, and said with a laugh
in his eyes, -
" This rather belongs to your side of the house, so
I won't meddle with it, my dear."
Mrs. Jo knew what he meant, but she liked her
little black sheep all the better for her pluck, though
she only said in her soberest way, -
" Do you know why I asked Nan to come here ? '
i2o Little Men
" To plague me," muttered Stuffy, with his mouth
full.
" To help me make little gentlemen of you, and I
think you have shown that some of you need it."
Here Stuffy retired into his bowl again, and did
not emerge till Demi made them all laugh by saying,
in his slow wondering way,
" How can she, when she 's such a tomboy ! "
"That's just it, she needs help as much as you,
and I expect you to set her an example of good
manners."
" Is she going to be a little gentleman too?" asked
Rob.
"She'd like it; wouldn't you, Nan?" added
Tommy.
" No, I should n't ; I hate boys ! " said Nan, fiercely,
for her hand still smarted, and she began to think
that she might have shown her courage in some
wiser way.
" I am sorry you hate my boys, because they can
be well-mannered, and most agreeable when they
choose. Kindness in looks and words and ways is
true politeness, and any one can have it if they only
try to treat other people as they like to be treated
themselves."
Mrs. Bhaer had addressed herself to Nan, but the
boys nudged one another, and appeared to take the
hint, for that time at least, and passed the butter ;
said " please," and " thank you," " yes, sir," and " no,
ma'am," with unusual elegance and respect. Nan said
nothing, but kept herself quiet and refrained from
tickling Demi, though strongly tempted to do so,
because of the dignified airs he put on. She also
Naughty Nan 121
appeared to have forgotten her hatred of boys, and
played " I spy ' with them till dark. Stuffy was
observed to offer her frequent sucks of his candy-
ball during the game, which evidently sweetened her
temper, for the last thing she said on going to bed
was, -
" When my battledore and shuttle-cock comes, I '11
let you all play with 'em."
Her first remark in the morning was " Has my
box come?" and when told that it would arrive some-
time during the day, she fretted and fumed, and
whipped her doll, till Daisy was shocked. She man-
aged to exist, however, till five o'clock, when she
disappeared, and was not missed till supper-time,
because those at home thought she had gone to the
hill with Tommy and Demi.
" I saw her going down the avenue alone as hard
as she could pelt," said Mary Ann, coming in with
the hasty-pudding, and finding every one asking,
"Where is Nan?"
" She has run home, little gypsy ! ' cried Mrs.
Bhaer, looking anxious.
" Perhaps she has gone to the station to look after
her luggage," suggested Franz.
" That is impossible, she does not know the way,
and if she found it she could never carry the box a
mile," said Mrs. Bhaer, beginning to think that her
new idea might be rather a hard one to carry
out.
" It would be like her," and Mr. Bhaer caught up
his hat to go and find the child, when a shout from
Jack, who was at the window, made every one hurry
to the door.
122 Little Men
There was Miss Nan, to be sure, tugging along a
large band-box tied up in a linen bag. Very hot and
dusty and tired did she look, but marched stoutly
along, and came puffing up to the steps, where she
dropped her load with a sigh of relief, and sat down
upon it, observing as she crossed her tired arms,
" I could n't wait any longer, so I went and
got it."
" But you did not know the way," said Tommy,
while the rest stood round enjoying the joke.
" Oh, I found it, I never get lost"
" It 's a mile, how could you go so far? '
" Well, it was pretty far, but I rested a good
deal."
" Was n't that thing very heavy? "
"It's so round, I couldn't get hold of it good, and
I thought my arms would break right off."
" I don't see how the station-master let you have
it," said Tommy.
" I did n't say any thing to him. He was in the
little ticket place, and did n't see me, so I just took it
off the platform."
" Run down and tell him it is all right, Franz, or
old Dodd will think it is stolen," said Mr. Bhaer, join-
ing in the shout of laughter at Nan's coolness.
" I told you we would send for it if it did not come.
Another time you must wait, for you will get into
trouble if you run away. Promise me this, or I shall
not dare to trust you out of my sight," said Mrs.
Bhaer, wiping the dust off Nan's little hot face.
" Well, I won't, only papa tells me not to put off
doing things, so I don't."
" That is rather a poser ; I think you had better
Naughty Nan 123
give her some supper now, and a private lecture by
and by," said Mr. Bhaer, too much amused to be
angry at the young lady's exploit.
The boys thought it " great fun," and Nan enter-
tained them all supper-time with an account of her
adventures ; for a big dog had barked at her, a man
had laughed at her, a woman had given her a dough-
nut, and her hat had fallen into the brook when she
stopped to drink, exhausted with her exertion,
"I fancy you will have your hands full now, my
dear; Tommy and Nan are quite enough for one
woman," said Mr. Bhaer, half an hour later.
" I know it will take some time to tame the child,
but she is such a generous, warm-hearted little thing,
I should love her even if she were twice as naughty,"
answered Mrs. Jo, pointing to the merry group, in the
middle of which stood Nan, giving away her things
right and left, as lavishly as if the big band-box had
no bottom.
It was those good traits that soon made little
" Giddygaddy," as they called her, a favorite with
every one. Daisy never complained of being dull
again, for Nan invented the most delightful plays, and
her pranks rivalled Tommy's, to the amusement of
the whole school. She buried her big doll and for-
got it for a week, and found it well mildewed when
she dug it up. Daisy was in despair, but Nan took
it to the painter who was at work about the house,
got him to paint it brick red, with staring black eyes,
then she dressed it up with feathers, and scarlet
flannel, and one of Ned's leaden hatchets ; and in the
character of an Indian chief, the late Poppydilla
tomahawked all the other dolls, and caused the
124 Little Men
nursery to run red with imaginary gore. She gave
away her new shoes to a beggar child, hoping to be
allowed to go barefoot, but found it impossible to
combine charity and comfort, and was ordered to ask
leave before disposing of her clothes. She delighted
the boys by making a fire-ship out of a shingle with
two large sails wet with turpentine, which she lighted,
and then sent the little vessel floating down the brook
at dusk. She harnessed the old turkey-cock to a
straw wagon, and made him trot round the house at
a tremendous pace. She gave her coral necklace
for four unhappy kittens, which had been tormented
by some heartless lads, and tended them for days
as gently as a mother, dressing their wounds with
cold cream, feeding them with a doll's spoon, and
mourning over them when they died, till she was
consoled by one of Demi's best turtles. She made
Silas tattoo an anchor on her arm like his, and
begged hard to have a blue star on each cheek, but
he dared not do it, though she coaxed and scolded
till the soft-hearted fellow longed to give in. She
rode every animal on the place, from the big
horse Andy to the cross pig, from whom she was
rescued with difficulty. Whatever the boys dared
her to do she instantly attempted, no matter how
dangerous it might be, and they were never tired of
testing her courage.
Mr. Bhaer suggested that they should see who
would study best, and Nan found as much pleasure in
using her quick wits and fine memory as her active
feet and merry tongue, while the lads had to do their
best to keep their places, for Nan showed them that
girls could do most things as well as boys, and some
Naughty Nan 125
things better. There were no rewards in school, but
Mr. Bhaer's " Well done ! " and Mrs. Bhaer's good
report on the conscience book, taught them to love
duty for its own sake, and try to do it faithfully, sure
that sooner or later the recompense would come.
Little Nan was quick to feel the new atmosphere, to
enjoy it, to show that it was what she needed ; for
this little garden was full of sweet flowers, half hidden
by the weeds ; and when kind hands gently began to
cultivate it, all sorts of green shoots sprung up, prom-
ising to blossom beautifully in the warmth of love and
care, the best climate for young hearts and souls all
the world over.
CHAPTER VIII
PRANKS AND PLAYS
AS there is no particular plan to this story, ex-
cept to describe a few scenes in the life at
Plumfield for the amusement of certain little
persons, we will gently ramble along in this chapter
and tell some of the pastimes of Mrs. Jo's boys. I
beg leave to assure my honored readers that most of
the incidents are taken from real life, and that the
oddest are the truest; for no person, no matter how
vivid an imagination he may have, can invent any-
thing half so droll as the freaks and fancies that orig-
inate in the lively brains of little people.
Daisy and Demi were full of these whims, and lived
in a world of their own, peopled with lovely or gro-
tesque creatures, to whom they gave the queerest
names, and with whom they played the queerest
games. One of these nursery inventions was an invis-
ible sprite called " The Naughty Kitty-mouse," whom
the children had believed in, feared, and served for a
long time. They seldom spoke of it to any one else,
kept their rites as private as possible ; and, as they
never tried to describe it even to themselves, this being
had a vague mysterious charm very agreeable to Demi,
w r ho delighted in elves and goblins. A most whimsi-
cal and tyrannical imp was the Naughty Kitty-mouse,
and Daisy found a fearful pleasure in its service,
blindly obeying its most absurd demands, which were
Pranks and Plays 127
usually proclaimed from the lips of Demi, whose
powers of invention were great. Rob and Teddy
sometimes joined in these ceremonies, and considered
them excellent fun, although they did not understand
half that went on.
One day after school Demi whispered to his sister,
with an ominous wag of the head, -
" The Kitty-mouse wants us this afternoon."
" What for?" asked Daisy, anxiously.
" A sackerryfice" answered Demi, solemnly. " There
must be a fire behind the big rock at two o'clock, and
we must all bring the things we like best, and burn
them ! " he added, with an awful emphasis on the last
words.
" Oh, dear ! I love the new paper dollies Aunt
Amy painted for me best of any thing ; must I burn
them up? " cried Daisy, who never thought of deny-
ing the unseen tyrant any thing it demanded.
" Every one. I shall burn my boat, my best scrap-
book, and all my soldiers," said Demi, firmly.
" Well, I will ; but it 's too bad of Kitty-mouse to
want our very nicest things," sighed Daisy.
" A sackerryfice means to give up what you are
fond of, so we must" explained Demi, to whom the
new idea had been suggested by hearing Uncle Fritz
describe the customs of the Greeks to the big boys
who were reading about them in school.
" Is Rob coming too? " asked Daisy.
" Yes, and he is going to bring his toy village ; it
is all made of wood, you know, and will burn nicely.
We'll have a grand bonfire, and see them blaze up,
won't we ? '
This brilliant prospect consoled Daisy, and she ate
128 Little Men
her dinner with a row of paper dolls before her, as a
sort of farewell banquet.
At the appointed hour the sacrificial train set forth,
each child bearing the treasures demanded by the
insatiable Kitty-mouse. Teddy insisted on going also,
and seeing that all the others had toys, he tucked a
squeaking lamb under one arm, and old Annabella
under the other, little dreaming what anguish the
latter idol was to give him.
"Where are you going, my chickens?" asked Mrs.
Jo, as the flock passed her door.
" To play by the big rock ; can't we? '
" Yes, only don't go near the pond, and take good
care of baby."
" I always do," said Daisy, leading forth her charge
with a capable air.
" Now, you must all sit round, and not move till I
tell you. This flat stone is an altar, and I am going
to make a fire on it."
Demi then proceeded to kindle up a small blaze, as
he had seen the boys do at picnics. When the flame
burned well, he ordered the company to march round
it three times and then stand in a circle.
" I shall begin, and as fast as my things are burnt,
you must bring yours."
With that he solemnly laid on a little paper book
full of pictures, pasted in by himself; this was fol-
lowed by a dilapidated boat, and then one by one
the unhappy leaden soldiers marched to death. Not
one faltered or hung back, from the splendid red and
yellow captain to the small drummer who had lost
his legs ; all vanished in the flames and mingled in
one common pool of melted lead.
Pranks and Plays 129
" Now, Daisy ! " called the high priest of Kitty-
mouse, when his rich offerings had been consumed,
to the great satisfaction of the children.
" My dear dollies, how can I let them go? " moaned
Daisy, hugging the entire dozen with a face full of
maternal woe.
" You must," commanded Demi ; and with a fare-
well kiss to each, Daisy laid her blooming dolls upon
the coals.
" Let me keep one, the dear blue thing, she is so
sweet," besought the poor little mamma, clutching her
last in despair.
" More ! more ! " growled an awful voice, and Demi
cried, " That 's the Kitty-mouse ! she must have every
one, quick, or she will scratch us."
In went the precious blue belle, flounces, rosy hat,
and all, and nothing but a few black flakes remained
of that bright band.
" Stand the houses and trees round, and let them
catch themselves ; it will be like a real fire then," said
Demi, who liked variety even in his " sackerryfices."
Charmed by this suggestion, the children arranged
the doomed village, laid a line of coals along the
main street, and then sat down to watch the confla-
gration. It was somewhat slow to kindle owing to the
paint, but at last one ambitious little cottage blazed
up, fired a tree of the palm species, which fell on to the
roof of a large family mansion, and in a few minutes
the entire town was burning merrily. The wooden
population stood and stared at the destruction like
blockheads, as they were, till they also caught and
blazed away without a cry. It took some time to
reduce the town to ashes, and the lookers-on enjoyed
9
130 Little Men
the spectacle immensely, cheering as each house fell,
dancing like wild Indians when the steeple flamed
aloft, and actually casting one wretched little churn-
shaped lady, who had escaped to the suburbs, into
the very heart of the fire.
The superb success of this last offering excited
Teddy to such a degree, that he first threw his lamb
into the conflagration, and before it had time even to
roast, he planted poor dear Annabella on the funeral
pyre. Of course she did not like it, and expressed
her anguish and resentment in a way that terrified
her infant destroyer. Being covered with kid, she
did not blaze, but did what was worse, she squirmed.
First one leg curled up, then the other, in a very
awful and lifelike manner; next she flung her arms
over her head as if in great agony; her head itself
turned on her shoulders, her glass eyes fell out, and
with one final writhe of her whole body, she sank
down a blackened mass on the ruins of the town.
This unexpected demonstration startled every one and
frightened Teddy half out of his little wits. He looked,
then screamed and fled toward the house, roaring
" Marmar" at the top of his voice.
Mrs. Bhaer heard the outcry and ran to the rescue,
but Teddy could only cling to her and pour out in
his broken way something about, " poor Bella hurted,"
" a dreat fire," and " all the dollies dorn." Fearing
some dire mishap, his mother caught him up and
hurried to the scene of action, where she found the
blind worshippers of Kitty-mouse mourning over
the charred remains of the lost darling.
"What have you been at? Tell me all about it,"
said Mrs. Jo, composing herself to listen patiently, for
Pranks and Plays 131
the culprits looked so penitent, she forgave them
beforehand.
With some reluctance Demi explained their play,
and Aunt Jo laughed till the tears ran down her
cheeks, the children were so solemn, and the play
was so absurd.
" I thought you were too sensible to play such a
silly game as this. If I had any Kitty-mouse I 'd have
a good one who liked you to play in safe pleasant
ways, and not destroy and frighten. Just see what
a ruin you have made ; all Daisy's pretty dolls, Demi's
soldiers, and Rob's new village, beside poor Teddy's
pet lamb, and dear old Annabella. I shall have to
write up in the nursery the verse that used to come
in the boxes of toys,
'The children of Holland take pleasure in making,
What the children of Boston take pleasure in breaking.'
Only I shall put Plumfield instead of Boston."
" We never will again, truly, truly ! " cried the re-
pentant little sinners, much abashed at this reproof.
" Demi told us to," said Rob.
" Well, I heard Uncle tell about the Greece people,
who had altars and things, and so I wanted to be like
them, only I had n't any live creatures to sackerryfice,
so we burnt up our toys."
" Dear me, that is something like the bean story,"
said Aunt Jo, laughing again.
" Tell about it," suggested Daisy, to change the
subject.
" Once there was a poor woman who had three or
four little children, and she used to lock them up in
her room when she went out to work, to keep them
132 Little Men
safe. One day when she was going away she said,
* Now, my dears, don't let baby fall out of window,
don't play with the matches, and don't put beans up
your noses.' Now the children had never dreamed
of doing that last thing, but she put it into their heads,
and the minute she was gone, they ran and stuffed
their naughty little noses full of beans, just to see
how it felt, and she found them all crying when she
came home."
"Did it hurt?' asked Rob, with such intense in-
terest that his mother hastily added a warning sequel,
lest a new edition of the bean story should appear in
her own family.
" Very much, as I know, for when my mother told
me this story, I was so silly that I went and tried it
myself. I had no beans, so I took some little peb-
bles, and poked several into my nose. I did not like
it at all, and wanted to take them out again very soon,
but one would not come, and I was so ashamed to
tell what a goose I had been that I went for hours
with the stone hurting me very much. At last the
pain got so bad I had to tell, and when my mother
could not get it out the doctor came. Then I was
put in a chair and held tight, Rob, while he used his
ugly little pincers till the stone hopped out. Dear
me ! how my wretched little nose did ache, and how
people laughed at me ! " and Mrs. Jo shook her head
in a dismal way, as if the memory of her sufferings
was too much for her.
Rob looked deeply impressed and I am glad to say
took the warning to heart. Demi proposed that they
should bury poor Annabella, and in the interest of
the funeral Teddy forgot his fright. Daisy was soon
Pranks and Plays 133
consoled by another batch of dolls from Aunt Amy,
and the Naughty Kitty-mouse seemed to be appeased
by the last offerings, for she tormented them no
more.
" Brops ' was the name of a new and absorbing
play, invented by Bangs. As this interesting animal
is not to be found in any Zoological Garden, unless
Du Chaillu has recently brought one from the wilds
of Africa, I will mention a few of its peculiar habits
and traits, for the benefit of inquiring minds. The
Brop is a winged quadruped, with a human face of a
youthful and merry aspect. When it walks the earth
it grunts, when it soars it gives a shrill hoot, occa-
sionally it goes erect, and talks good English. Its
body is usually covered with a substance much re-
sembling a shawl, sometimes red, sometimes blue,
often plaid, and, strange to say, they frequently change
skins with one another. On their heads they have
a horn very like a stiff brown paper lamp-lighter.
Wings of the same substance flap upon their shoulders
when they fly ; this is never very far from the ground,
as they usually fall with violence if they attempt any
lofty flights. They browse over the earth, but can
sit up and eat like the squirrel. Their favorite nour-
ishment is the seed-cake ; apples also are freely taken,
and sometimes raw carrots are nibbled when food is
scarce. They live in dens, where they have a sort of
nest, much like a clothes-basket, in which the little
Brops play till their wings are grown. These singu-
lar animals quarrel at times, and it is on these occa-
sions that they burst into human speech, call each
other names, cry, scold, and sometimes tear off horns
and skin, declaring fiercely that they " won't play."
134 Little Men
The few privileged persons who have studied them are
inclined to think them a remarkable mixture of the
monkey, the sphinx, the roc, and the queer creatures
seen by the famous Peter Wilkins.
This game was a great favorite, and the younger
children beguiled many a rainy afternoon flapping or
creeping about the nursery, acting like little bedlamites
and .being as merry as little grigs. To be sure, it was
rather hard upon clothes, particularly trouser-knees
and jacket-elbows; but Mrs. Bhaer only said, as she
patched and darned,
"We do things just as foolish, and not half so
harmless. If I could get as much happiness out of
it as the little dears do, I 'd be a Brop myself."
Nat's favorite amusements were working in his gar-
den, and sitting in the willow-tree with his violin, for
that green nest was a fairy world to him, and there
he loved to perch, making music like a happy bird.
The lads called him " Old Chirper," because he was
always humming, whistling, or fiddling, and they often
stopped a minute in their work or play to listen to
the soft tones of the violin, which seemed to lead a
little orchestra of summer sounds. The birds ap-
peared to regard him as one of themselves, and fear-
lessly sat on the fence or lit among the boughs to
watch him with their quick bright eyes. The robins
in the apple-tree near by evidently considered him a
friend, for the father bird hunted insects close beside
him, and the little mother brooded as confidingly
over her blue eggs as if the boy was only a new sort
of blackbird, who cheered her patient watch with his
song. The brown brook babbled and sparkled below
him, the bees haunted the clover fields on either side,
Pranks and Plays 135
friendly faces peeped at him as they passed, the old
house stretched its wide wings hospitably toward him,
and with a blessed sense of rest and love and happi-
ness, Nat dreamed for hours in this nook, uncon-
scious what healthful miracles were being wrought
upon him.
One listener he had who never tired, and to whom
he was more than a mere schoolmate. Poor Billy's
chief delight was to lie beside the brook, watching
leaves and bits of foam dance by, listening dreamily
to the music in the willow-tree. He seemed to think
Nat a sort of angel who sat aloft and sang, for a few
baby memories still lingered in his mind and seemed
to grow brighter at these times. Seeing the interest
he took in Nat, Mr. Bhaer begged him to help them
lift the cloud from the feeble brain by this gentle
spell. Glad to do any thing to show his gratitude,
Nat always smiled on Billy when he followed him
about, and let him listen undisturbed to the music
which seemed to speak a language he could under-
stand. " Help one another," was a favorite Plumfield
motto, and Nat learned how much sweetness is added
to life by trying to live up to it.
Jack Ford's peculiar pastime was buying and sell-
ing ; and he bid fair to follow in the footsteps of his
uncle, a country merchant, who sold a little of every
thing and made money fast. Jack had seen the
sugar sanded, the molasses watered, the butter mixed
with lard, and things of that kind, and labored under
the delusion that it was all a proper part of the busi-
ness. His stock in trade was of a different, sort, but
he made as much as he could out of every worm he
sold, and always got the best of the bargain when he
136
Little Men
traded with the boys for string, knives, fish-hooks, or
whatever the article might be. The boys, who all
had nicknames, called him " Skinflint," but Jack did
not care as long as the old tobacco-pouch in which
he kept his money grew heavier and heavier.
He established a sort of auction-room, and now and
then sold off all the odds and ends he had collected,
or helped the lads exchange things with one another.
He got bats, balls, hockey-sticks, etc., cheap, from
one set of mates, furbished them up, and let them for
a few cents a time to another set, often extending his
business beyond the gates of Plumfield in spite of the
rules. Mr. Bhaer put a stop to some of his specula-
tions, and tried to give him a better idea of business
talent than mere sharpness in overreaching his neigh-
bors. Now and then Jack made a bad bargain, and
felt worse about it than about any failure in lessons
or conduct, and took his revenge on the next inno-
cent customer who came along. His account-book
was a curiosity; and his quickness at figures quite
remarkable. Mr. Bhaer praised him for this, and
tried to make his sense of honesty and honor as
quick; and, by and by, when Jack found that he
could not get on without these virtues, he owned
that his teacher was right.
Cricket and football the boys had of course ; but,
after the stirring accounts of these games in the
immortal " Tom Brown at Rugby," no feeble female
pen may venture to do more than respectfully allude
to them.
Emil spent his holidays on the river or the pond,
and drilled the elder lads for a race with certain town
boys, who now and then invaded their territory. The
Pranks and Plays 137
race duly came off, but as it ended in a general ship-
wreck, it was not mentioned in public ; and the Com-
modore had serious thoughts of retiring to a desert
island, so disgusted was he with his kind for a time.
No desert island being convenient, he was forced to
remain among his friends, and found consolation in
building a boat-house.
The little girls indulged in the usual plays of their
age, improving upon them somewhat as their lively
fancies suggested. The chief and most absorbing
play was called " Mrs. Shakespeare Smith ; ' the
name was provided by Aunt Jo, but the trials of the
poor lady were quite original. Daisy was Mrs. S. S.,
and Nan by turns her daughter or a neighbor, Mrs.
Giddygaddy.
No pen can describe the adventures of these ladies,
for in one short afternoon their family was the scene
of births, marriages, deaths, floods, earthquakes, tea-
parties, and balloon ascensions. Millions of miles
did these energetic women travel, dressed in hats
and habits never seen before by mortal eye, perched
on the bed, driving the posts like mettlesome steeds,
and bouncing up and down till their heads spun.
Fits and fires were the pet afflictions, with a general
massacre now and then by way of change. Nan
was never tired of inventing fresh combinations, and
Daisy followed her leader with blind admiration.
Poor Teddy was a frequent victim, and was often res-
cued from real danger, for the excited ladies were apt
to forget that he was not of the same stuff as their long-
suffering dolls. Once he was shut into a closet for
a dungeon, and forgotten by the girls, who ran off to
some out-of-door game. Another time he was half
Little Men
drowned in the bath-tub, playing be a " cunning little
whale." And, worst of all, he was cut down just in
time after being hung up for a robber.
But the institution most patronized by all was the
Club. It had no other name, and it needed none,
being the only one in the neighborhood. The elder
lads got it up, and the younger were occasionally
admitted if they behaved well. Tommy and Demi
were honorary members, but were always obliged to
retire unpleasantly early, owing to circumstances
over which they had no control. The proceedings
of this club were somewhat peculiar, for it met at all
sorts of places and hours, had all manner of queer
ceremonies and amusements, and now and then was
broken up tempestuously, only to be re-established,
however, on a firmer basis.
Rainy evenings the members met in the school-
room, and passed the time in games : chess, morris,
backgammon, fencing matches, recitations, debates,
or dramatic performances of a darkly tragical nature.
In summer the barn was the rendezvous, and what
went on there no uninitiated mortal knows. On sul-
try evenings the Club adjourned to the brook for
aquatic exercises, and the members sat about in airy
attire, frog-like and cool. On such occasions the
speeches were unusually eloquent, quite flowing, as
one might say ; and if any orator's remarks dis-
pleased the audience, cold w r ater was thrown upon
him till his ardor was effectually quenched. Franz
was president, and maintained order admirably, con-
sidering the unruly nature of the members. Mr.
Bhaer never interfered with their affairs, and was re-
warded for this wise forbearance by being invited
Pranks and Flap 139
now and then to behold the mysteries unveiled,
which he appeared to enjoy much.
When Nan came she wished to join the Club, and
caused great excitement and division among the
gentlemen by presenting endless petitions, both writ-
ten and spoken, disturbing their solemnities by insult-
ing them through the key-hole, performing vigorous
solos on the door, and writing up derisive remarks on
walls and fences, for she belonged to the " Irrepressi-
bles." Finding these appeals vain, the girls, by the
advice of Mrs. Jo, got up an institution of their own,
which they called the Cosy Club. To this they
magnanimously invited the gentlemen whose youth
excluded them from the other one, and entertained
these favored beings so well with little suppers, new
games devised by Nan, and other pleasing festivities,
that, one by one, the elder boys confessed a desire
to partake of these more elegant enjoyments, and,
after much consultation, finally decided to propose
an interchange of civilities.
The members of the Cosy Club were invited to
adorn the rival establishment on certain evenings,
and to the surprise of the gentlemen their presence
was not found to be a restraint upon the conversation
or amusement of the regular frequenters ; which
could not be said of all Clubs, I fancy. The ladies
responded handsomely and hospitably to these over-
tures of peace, and both institutions flourished long
and happily.
CHAPTER IX
DAISY'S BALL
" Ik /I" RS. SHAKESPEARE SMITH would
\ /I like to have Mr. John Brooke, Mr.
JL T JL Thomas Bangs, and Mr. Nathaniel Blake
to come to her ball at three o'clock to-day.
" P. S. Nat must bring his fiddle, so we can
dance, and all the boys must be good, or they cannot
have any of the nice things we have cooked."
This elegant invitation would, I fear, have been
declined, but for the hint given in the last line of the
postscript.
" They have been cooking lots of goodies, I smelt
'em. Let's go," said Tommy.
" We need n't stay after the feast, you know," added
Demi.
" I never went to a ball. What do you have to do ? '
asked Nat.
" Oh, we just play be men, and sit round stiff and
stupid like grown-up folks, and dance to please the
girls. Then we eat up everything, and come away as
soon as we can."
" I think I could do that," said Nat, after consider-
ing Tommy's description for a minute.
" I '11 write and say we '11 come ; ' and Demi de-
spatched the following gentlemanly reply,
Daisy's Ball 141
" We will all come. Please have lots to eat. J. B.
Esquire."
Great was the anxiety of the ladies about their first
ball, because if every thing went well they intended to
give a dinner-party to the chosen few.
" Aunt Jo likes to have the boys play with us, if
they are not rough ; so we must make them like our
balls, then they will do them good," said Daisy, with
her maternal air, as she set the table and surveyed
the store of refreshments with an anxious eye.
" Demi and Nat will be good, but Tommy will do
something bad, I know he will," replied Nan, shaking
her head over the little cake-basket which she was
arranging.
' Then I shall send him right home," said Daisy,
with decision.
" People don't do so at parties, it is n't proper."
" I shall never ask him any more."
" That would do. He 'd be sorry not to come to
the dinner-ball, would n't he?"
" I guess he would ! we '11 have the splendidest
things ever seen, won't we? Real soup with a ladle
and a tureem [she meant tureen'] and a little bird for
turkey, and gravy, and all kinds of nice vegytubbles."
Daisy never could say vegetables properly, and had
given up trying.
" It is 'most three, and we ought to dress," said Nan,
who had arranged a fine costume for the occasion, and
was anxious to wear it.
" I am the mother, so I shan't dress up much,"
said Daisy, putting on a night-cap ornamented with a
red bow, one of her aunt's long skirts, and a shawl ;
a pair of spectacles and a large pocket handkerchief
142 Little Men
completed her toilette, making a plump, rosy little
matron of her.
Nan had a wreath of artificial flowers, a pair of old
pink slippers, a yellow scarf, a green muslin skirt, and
a fan made of feathers from the duster; also, as a last
touch of elegance, a smelling-bottle without any smell
in it.
" I am the daughter, so I rig up a good deal, and
I must sing and dance, and talk more than you do.
The mothers only get the tea and be proper, you
know."
A sudden very loud knock caused Miss Smith to
fly into a chair, and fan herself violently, while her
mamma sat bolt upright on the sofa, and tried to look
quite calm and " proper." Little Bess, who was on a
visit, acted the part of maid, and opened the door, say-
ing with a smile, " Wart in, gemplemun ; it 's all weady."
In honor of the occasion, the boys wore high paper
collars, tall black hats, and gloves of every color and
material, for they were an afterthought, and not a boy
among them had a perfect pair.
" Good day, mum," said Demi, in a deep voice,
which was so hard to keep up that his remarks had
to be extremely brief.
Every one shook hands and then sat down, looking
so funny, yet so sober, that the gentlemen forgot their
manners, and rolled in their chairs with laughter.
"Oh, don't! " cried Mrs. Smith, much distressed.
" You can't ever come again if you act so," added
Miss Smith, rapping Mr. Bangs with her bottle
because he laughed loudest.
" I can't help it, you look so like fury," gasped
Mr. Bangs, with most uncourteous candor.
Daisy's Ball 143
" So do you, but I should n't be so rude as to say
so. He shan't come to the dinner-ball, shall he,
Daisy?' cried Nan, indignantly.
" I think we had better dance now. Did you
bring your fiddle, sir?" asked Mrs. Smith, trying to
preserve her polite composure.
" It is outside the door," and Nat went to get it.
" Better have tea first," proposed the unabashed
Tommy, winking openly at Demi to remind him that
the sooner the refreshments were secured, the sooner
they could escape.
" No, we never have supper first ; and if you don't
dance well you won't have any supper at all, not one
bit, sir," said Mrs. Smith, so sternly that her wild
guests saw she was not to be trifled with, and grew
overwhelmingly civil all at once.
" / will take Mr. Bangs and teach him the polka,
for he does not know it fit to be seen," added the
hostess, with a reproachful look that sobered Tommy
at once.
Nat struck up, and the ball opened with two
couples, who went conscientiously through a some-
what varied dance. The ladies did well, because they
liked it, but the gentlemen exerted themselves from
more selfish motives, for each felt that he must earn
his supper, and labored manfully toward that end.
When every one was out of breath they were allowed
to rest; and, indeed, poor Mrs. Smith needed it, for
her long dress had tripped her up many times. The
little maid passed round molasses and water in such
small cups that one guest actually emptied nine. I
refrain from mentioning his name, because this mild
beverage affected him so much that he put cup and
144 Little Men
all into his mouth at the ninth round, and choked
himself publicly.
" You must ask Nan to play and sing now," said
Daisy to her brother, who sat looking very much like
an owl, as he gravely regarded the festive scene be-
tween his high collars.
" Give us a song, mum," said the obedient guest,
secretly wondering where the piano was.
Miss Smith sailed up to an old secretary which
stood in the room, threw back the lid of the writing-
desk, and sitting down before it, accompanied her-
self with a vigor which made the old desk rattle as
she sang that new and lovely song, beginning
" Gaily the troubadour
Touched his guitar,
As he was hastening
Home from the war."
The gentlemen applauded so enthusiastically that
she gave them " Bounding Billows," " Little Bo-
Peep," and other gems of song, till they were obliged
to hint that they had had enough. Grateful for the
praises bestowed upon her daughter, Mrs. Smith
graciously announced,
" Now we will have tea. Sit down carefully, and
don't grab."
It was beautiful to see the air of pride with which
the good lady did the honors of her table, and the
calmness with which she bore the little mishaps that
occurred. The best pie flew wildly on the floor when
she tried to cut it with a very dull knife ; the bread
and butter vanished with a rapidity calculated to dis-
may a housekeeper's soul; and, worst of all, the
Daisy's Ball 145
custards were so soft that they had to be drunk up,
instead of being eaten elegantly with the new tin
spoons.
I grieve to state that Miss Smith squabbled with
the maid for the best jumble, which caused Bess to
toss the whole dish into the air, and burst out crying
amid a rain of falling cakes. She was comforted by
a seat at the table, and the sugar-bowl to empty;
but during this flurry a large plate of patties was
mysteriously lost, and could not be found. They
were the chief ornament of the feast, and Mrs. Smith
was indignant at the loss, for she had made them her-
self, and they were beautiful to behold. I put it to
any lady if it was not hard to have one dozen deli-
cious patties (made of flour, salt, and water, with a
large raisin in the middle of each, and much sugar
over the whole) swept away at one fell swoop?
" You hid them, Tommy; I know you did ! " cried
the outraged hostess, threatening her suspected guest
with the milk-pot.
"I did n't!"
" You did ! "
" It is n't proper to contradict," said Nan, who was
hastily eating up the jelly during the fray.
" Give them back, Demi," said Tommy.
" That 's a fib, you Ve got them in your own pocket,"
bawled Demi, roused by the false accusation.
" Let 's take 'em away from him. It 's too bad to
make Daisy cry," suggested Nat, who found his first
ball more exciting than he expected.
Daisy was already weeping, Bess like a devoted
servant mingled her tears with those of her mis-
tress, and Nan denounced the entire race of boys
10
146
Little Men
as " plaguey things." Meanwhile the battle raged
among the gentlemen, for, when the two defenders
of innocence fell upon the foe, that hardened youth
intrenched himself behind a table and pelted them
with the stolen tarts, which were very effective mis-
siles, being nearly as hard as bullets. While his
ammunition held out the besieged prospered, but
the moment the last patty flew over the parapet, the
villain was seized, dragged howling from the room,
and cast upon the hall floor in an ignominious heap.
The conquerors then returned flushed with victory,
and while Demi consoled poor Mrs. Smith, Nat and
Nan collected the scattered tarts, replaced each raisin
in its proper bed, and rearranged the dish so that it
really looked almost as well as ever. But their glory
had departed, for the sugar was gone, and no one
cared to eat them after the insult offered to them.
"I guess we had better go," said Demi, suddenly,
as Aunt Jo's voice was heard on the stairs.
" P'r'aps we had," and Nat hastily dropped a stray
jumble that he had just picked up.
But Mrs. Jo was among them before the retreat
was accomplished, and into her sympathetic ear the
young ladies poured the story of their woes.
" No more balls for these boys till they have atoned
for this bad behavior by doing something kind to
you," said Mrs. Jo, shaking her head at the three
culprits.
"We were only in fun," began Demi.
" I don't like fun that makes other people unhappy.
I am disappointed in you, Demi, for I hoped you
would never learn to tease Daisy. Such a kind little
sister as she is to you."
Daisy's Ball 147
" Boys always tease their sisters ; Tom says so,"
muttered Demi.
" I don't intend that my boys shall, and I must send
Daisy home if you cannot play happily together," said
Aunt Jo, soberly.
At this awful threat, Demi sidled up to his sister,
and Daisy hastily dried her tears, for to be separated
was the worst misfortune that could happen to the
twins.
" Nat was bad too, and Tommy was baddest of all,"
observed Nan, fearing that two of the sinners would
not get their fair share of punishment.
" I am sorry," said Nat, much ashamed.
" I ain't ! " bawled Tommy through the keyhole,
where he was listening, with all his might.
Mrs. Jo wanted very much to laugh, but kept her
countenance, and said impressively, as she pointed to
the door,
" You can go, boys, but remember, you are not to
speak to or play with the little girls till I give you
leave. You don't deserve the pleasure, so I forbid it."
The ill-mannered young gentlemen hastily retired,
to be received outside with derision and scorn by the
unrepentant Bangs, who would not associate with
them for at least fifteen minutes. Daisy was soon
consoled for the failure of her ball, but lamented the
edict that parted her from her brother, and mourned
over his short-comings in her tender little heart. Nan
rather enjoyed the trouble, and went about turning
up her pug nose at the three, especially Tommy, who
pretended not to care, and loudly proclaimed his sat-
isfaction at being rid of those " stupid girls." But in
his secret soul he soon repented of the rash act that
148
Little Men
caused this banishment from the society he loved,
and every hour of separation taught him the value of
the " stupid girls."
The others gave in very soon, and longed to be
friends, for now there was no Daisy to pet and cook
for them; no Nan to amuse and doctor them; and,
worst of all, no Mrs. Jo to make home pleasant and
life easy for them. To their great affliction, Mrs. Jo
seemed to consider herself one of the offended girls,
for she hardly spoke to the outcasts, looked as if she
did not see them when she passed, and was always
too busy now to attend to their requests. This sud-
den and entire exile from favor cast a gloom over
their souls, for when Mother Bhaer deserted them,
their sun had set at noon-day, as it were, and they
had no refuge left.
This unnatural state of things actually lasted for
three days, then they could bear it no longer, and
fearing that the eclipse might become total, went to
Mr. Bhaer for help and counsel.
It is my private opinion that he had received in-
structions how to behave if the case should be laid
before him. But no one suspected it, and he gave
the afflicted boys some advice, which they gratefully
accepted and carried out in the following manner :
Secluding themselves in the garret, they devoted
several play-hours to the manufacture of some myste-
rious machine, which took so much paste that Asia
grumbled, and the little girls wondered mightily.
Nan nearly got her inquisitive nose pinched in the
door, trying to see what was going on, and Daisy sat
about, openly lamenting that they could not all play
nicely together, and not have any dreadful secrets.
Daisy's Ball 149
Wednesday afternoon was fine, and after a good deal
of consultation about wind and weather, Nat and
Tommy went off, bearing an immense flat parcel
hidden under many newspapers. Nan nearly died
with suppressed curiosity, Daisy nearly cried with
vexation, and both quite trembled with interest when
Demi marched into Mrs. Bhaer's room, hat in hand,
and said, in the politest tone possible to a mortal boy
of his years,
" Please, Aunt Jo, would you and the girls come out
to a surprise party we have made for you? Do, it 's
a very nice one."
" Thank you, v/e will come with pleasure ; only, I
must take Teddy with me," replied Mrs. Bhaer, with
a smile that cheered Demi like sunshine after rain.
" We 'd like to have him. The little wagon is all
ready for the girls; and you won't mind walking just
up to Pennyroyal Hill, will you, Aunty? '
"I should like it exceedingly ; but are you quite
sure I shall not be in the way? ",
" Oh, no, indeed ! we want you very much ; and
the party will be spoilt if you don't come," cried
Demi, with great earnestness.
"Thank you kindly, sir; " and Aunt Jo made him
a grand curtsey, for she liked frolics as well as any
of them.
" Now, young ladies, we must not keep them wait-
ing ; on with the hats, and let us be off at once. I 'm
all impatience to know what the surprise is."
As Mrs. Bhaer spoke every one bustled about, and
in five minutes the three little girls and Teddy were
packed into the u clothes-basket," as they called the
wicker wagon which Toby drew. Demi walked at
150 Little Men
the head of the procession, and Mrs. Jo brought up
the rear, escorted by Kit. It was a most imposing
party, I assure you, for Toby had a red feather-
duster in his head, two remarkable flags waved over
the carriage, Kit had a blue bow on his neck, which
nearly drove him wild, Demi wore a nosegay of dan-
delions in his buttonhole, and Mrs. Jo carried the
queer Japanese umbrella in honor of the occasion.
The girls had little flutters of excitement all the
way ; and Teddy was so charmed with the drive that
he kept dropping his hat overboard, and when it was
taken from him he prepared to tumble out himself,
evidently feeling that it behooved him to do some-
thing for the amusement of the party.
When they came to the hill " nothing was to be
seen but the grass blowing in the wind," as the
fairy books say, and the children looked disappointed.
But Demi said, in his most impressive manner,
" Now, you all get out and stand still, and the sur-
prise party will come in ; ' with which remark he re-
tired behind a rock, over which heads had been bob-
bing at intervals for the last half-hour.
A short pause of intense suspense, and then Nat,
Demi, and Tommy marched forth, each bearing a new
kite, which they presented to the three young ladies.
Shrieks of delight arose, but were silenced by the boys,
who said, with faces brimful of merriment, " That
isn't all the surprise; " and, running behind the rock,
again emerged bearing a fourth kite of superb size,
on which was printed, in bright yellow letters, " For
Mother Bhaer."
"We thought you'd like one, too, because you
were angry with us, and took the girls' part," cried
Daisy's Ball 151
all three, shaking with laughter, for this part of the
affair evidently was a surprise to Mrs. Jo.
She clapped her hands, and joined in the laugh,
looking thoroughly tickled at the joke.
" Now, boys, that is regularly splendid ! Who did
think of it?" she asked, receiving the monster kite
with as much pleasure as the little girls did theirs.
" Uncle Fritz proposed it when we planned to
make the others ; he said you 'd like it, so we made
a bouncer," answered Demi, beaming with satisfac-
tion at the success of the plot.
" Uncle Fritz knows what I like. Yes, these are
magnificent kites, and we were wishing we had some
the other day when you were flying yours, were n't
we, girls? '
" That 's why we made them for you, ' cried
Tommy, standing on his head as the most appropriate
way of expressing his emotions.
"Let us fly them," said energetic Nan.
" I don't know how," began Daisy.
"We '11 show you, we want to ! " cried all the boys
in a burst of devotion, as Demi took Daisy's, Tommy
Nan's, and Nat, with difficulty, persuaded Bess to let
go her little blue one.
" Aunty, if you will wait a minute, we '11 pitch
yours for you," said Demi, feeling that Mrs. Bhaer's
favor must not be lost again by any neglect of
theirs.
" Bless your buttons, dear, I know all about it ;
and here is a boy who will toss up for me," added
Mrs. Jo, as the professor peeped over the rock with a
face full of fun.
He came out at once, tossed up the big kite, and
152 Little Men
Mrs. Jo ran off with it in fine style, while the children
stood and enjoyed the spectacle. One by one all the
kites went up, and floated far overhead like gay birds,
balancing themselves on the fresh breeze that blew
steadily over the hill. Such a merry time as they
had ! running and shouting, sending up the kites or
pulling them down, watching their antics in the air,
and feeling them tug at the string like live creatures
trying to escape. Nan was quite wild with the fun,
Daisy thought the new play nearly as interesting as
dolls, and little Bess was so fond of her " boo tite,"
that she would only let it go on very short flights,
preferring to hold it in her lap and look at the re-
markable pictures painted on it by Tommy's dashing
brush. Mrs. Jo enjoyed hers immensely, and it acted
as if it knew who owned it, for it came tumbling
down head first when least expected, caught on trees,
nearly pitched into the river, and finally darted away
to such a height that it looked a mere speck among
the clouds.
By and by every one got tired, and fastening the
kite-strings to trees and fences, all sat down to rest,
except Mr. Bhaer, who went off to look at the cows,
with Teddy on his shoulder.
" Did you ever have such a good time as this
before?" asked Nat, as they lay about on the grass,
nibbling pennyroyal like a flock of sheep.
" Not since I last flew a kite, years ago, when I
was a girl," answered Mrs. Jo.
" I 'd like to have known you when you were a girl,
you must have been so jolly," said Nat.
" I was a naughty little girl, I am sorry to
say."
Daisy's Ball 153
" I like naughty little girls," observed Tommy,
looking at Nan, who made a frightful grimace at him
in return for the compliment.
"Why don't I remember you then, Aunty? Was
I too young?" asked Demi.
" Rather, dear."
" I suppose my memory had n't come then. Grand-
pa says that different parts of the mind unfold as we
grow up, and the memory part of my mind had n't
unfolded when you were little, so I can't remember
how you looked," explained Demi.
" Now, little Socrates, you had better keep that
question for grandpa, it is beyond me," said Aunt Jo,
putting on the extinguisher.
" Well, I will, he knows about those things, and you
don't," returned Demi, feeling that on the whole kites
were better adapted to the comprehension of the
present company.
" Tell about the last time you flew a kite," said
Nat, for Mrs. Jo had laughed as she spoke of it, and
he thought it might be interesting.
" Oh, it was only rather funny, for I was a great
girl of fifteen, and was ashamed to be seen at such
a play. So Uncle Teddy and I privately made our
kites, and stole away to fly them. We had a capital
time, and were resting as we are now, when suddenly
we heard voices, and saw a party of young ladies and
gentlemen coming back from a picnic. Teddy did
not mind, though he was rather a large boy to be
playing with a kite, but I was in a great flurry, for I
knew I should be sadly laughed at, and never hear
the last of it, because my wild ways amused the
neighbors as much as Nan's do us.
154 Little Men
'"What shall I do? ' I whispered to Teddy, as the
voices drew nearer and nearer.
" ' I '11 show you,' he said, and whipping out his
knife he cut the strings. Away flew the kites, and
when the people came up we were picking flowers as
properly as you please. They never suspected us,
and we had a grand laugh over our narrow escape."
" Were the kites lost, Aunty?" asked Daisy.
" Quite lost, but I did not care, for I made up my
mind that it would be best to wait till I was an old lady
before I played with kites again ; and you see I have
waited," said Mrs. Jo, beginning to pull in the big
kite, for it was getting late.
" Must we go now?"
"I must, or you won't have any supper; and that
sort of surprise party would not suit you, I think, my
chickens."
"Hasn't our party been a nice one?" asked
Tommy, complacently.
" Splendid ! " answered every one.
"Do you know why? It is because your guests
have behaved themselves, and tried to make every
thing go well. You understand what I mean, don't
you ? "
" Yes 'm," was all the boys said, but they stole a
shamefaced look at one another, as they meekly
shouldered their kites and walked home, thinking of
another party where the guests had not behaved
themselves, and things had gone badly on account
of it.
CHAPTER X
HOME AGAIN
JULY had come, and haying begun ; the little gar-
dens were doing finely, and the long summer
days were full of pleasant hours. The house
stood open from morning till night, and the lads lived
out of doors, except at school time. The lessons
were short, and there were many holidays, for the
Bhaers believed in cultivating healthy bodies by much
exercise, and our short summers are best used in out-
of-door work. Such a rosy, sunburnt, hearty set as
the boys became ; such appetites as they had ; such
sturdy arms and legs, as outgrew jackets and trousers ;
such laughing and racing all over the place ; such
antics in house and barn ; such adventures in the
tramps over hill and dale; and such satisfaction in
the hearts of the worthy Bhaers, as they saw their
flock prospering in mind and body, I cannot begin to
describe. Only one thing was needed to make them
quite happy, and it came when they least expected it.
One balmy night when the little lads were in bed,
the elder ones bathing down at the brook, and Mrs.
Bhaer undressing Teddy in her parlor, he suddenly
cried out, " Oh, my Danny ! ' and pointed to the
window, where the moon shone brightly.
" No, lovey, he is not there, it was the pretty moon,"
said his mother.
156
Little Men
' No, no, Danny at a window ; Teddy saw him,"
persisted baby, much excited.
" It might have been," and Mrs. Bhaer hurried to
the window, hoping it would prove true. But the
face was gone, and nowhere appeared any signs of a
mortal boy; she called his name, ran to the front
door with Teddy in his little shirt, and made him call
too, thinking the baby voice might have more effect
than her own. No one answered, nothing appeared,
and they went back much disappointed. Tecldy
would not be satisfied with the moon, and after he
was in his crib kept popping up his head to ask if
Danny was not " tummin' soon."
By and by he fell asleep, the lads trooped up to
bed, the house grew still, and nothing but the chirp
of the crickets broke the soft silence of the summer
night. Mrs. Bhaer sat sewing, for the big basket was
always piled with socks, full of portentous holes, and
thinking of the lost boy. She had decided that baby
had been mistaken, and did not even disturb Mr.
Bhaer by telling him of the child's fancy, for the poor
man got little time to himself till the boys were abed,
and he was busy writing letters. It was past ten when
she rose to shut up the house. As she paused a
minute to enjoy the lovely scene from the steps,
something white caught her eye on one of the hay-
cocks scattered over the lawn. The children had
been playing there all the afternoon, and, fancying
that Nan had left her hat as usual, Mrs. Bhaer went
out to get it. But as she approached, she saw that it
was neither hat nor handkerchief, but a shirt sleeve
with a brown hand sticking out of it. She hurried
round the hay-cock, and there lay Dan, fast asleep.
Home Again 157
Ragged, dirty, thin, and worn-out he looked ; one
foot was bare, the other tied up in the old gingham
jacket which he had taken from his own back to use
as a clumsy bandage for some hurt. He seemed to
have hidden himself behind the hay-cock, but in his
sleep had thrown out the arm that had betrayed him.
He sighed and muttered as if his dreams disturbed
him, and once when he moved, he groaned as if in
pain, but still slept on quite spent with weariness.
" He must not lie here," said Mrs. Bhaer, and stoop-
ing over him she gently called his name. He opened
his eyes and looked at her, as if she was a part of his
dream, for he smiled and said drowsily, " Mother
Bhaer, I Ve come home."
The look, the words, touched her very much, and
she put her hand under his head to lift him up, say-
ing in her cordial way,
" I thought you would, and I 'm so glad to see you,
Dan." He seemed to wake thoroughly then, and
started up looking about him as if he suddenly re-
membered where he was, and doubted even that kind
welcome. His face changed, and he said in his old
rough way, -
" I was going off in the morning. I only stopped
to peek in, as I went by."
" But why not come in, Dan? Did n't you hear us
call you? Teddy saw, and cried for you."
" Did n't suppose you 'd let me in," he said, fum-
bling with a little bundle which he had taken up as
if going immediately.
" Try and see," was all Mrs. Bhaer answered, hold-
ing out her hand and pointing to the door, where the
light shone hospitably.
Little Men
With a long breath, as if a load was off his mind,
Dan took up a stout stick, and began to limp towards
the house, but stopped suddenly, to say inquiringly,
" Mr. Bhaer won't like it. I ran away from Page."
" He knows it, and was sorry, but it will make no
difference. Are you lame?' asked Mrs. Jo, as he
limped on again.
" Getting over a wall a stone fell on my foot
and smashed it. I don't mind," and he did his best
to hide the pain each step cost him.
Mrs. Bhaer helped him into her own room, and, once
there, he dropped into a chair, and laid his head
back, white and faint with weariness and suffering.
" My poor Dan ! drink this, and then eat a little ;
you are at home now, and Mother Bhaer will take
good care of you."
He only looked up at her with eyes full of grati-
tude, as he drank the wine she held to his lips, and
then began slowly to eat the food she brought him.
Each mouthful seemed to put heart into him, and
presently he began to talk as if anxious to have her
know all about him.
" Where have you been, Dan?" she asked, begin-
ning to get out some bandages.
" I ran off more 'n a month ago. Page was good
enough, but too strict. I did n't like it, so I cut
away down the river with a man who was going in
his boat. That 's why they could n't tell where I 'd
gone. When I left the man, I worked for a couple
of weeks with a farmer, but I thrashed his boy, and
then the old man thrashed me, and I ran off again
and walked here."
"All the way?"
Home Again 159
" Yes, the man did n't pay me, and I would n't ask
for it. Took it out in beating the boy," and Dan
laughed, yet looked ashamed, as he glanced at his
ragged clothes and dirty hands.
"How did you live? It was a long, long tramp
for a boy like you."
" Oh, I got on well enough, till I hurt my foot.
Folks gave me things to eat, and I slept in barns and
tramped by day. I got lost trying to make a short
cut, or I 'd have been here sooner."
" But if you did not mean to come in and stay with
us, what were you going to do?'
" I thought I 'd like to see Teddy again, and you ;
and then I was going back to my old work in the
city, only I was so tired I went to sleep on the hay.
I 'd have been gone in the morning, if you had n't
found me."
" Are you sorry I did?' 1 and Mrs. Jo looked at
him with a half merry, half reproachful look, as she
knelt down to look at his wounded foot.
The color came up into Dan's face, and he kept
his eyes fixed on his plate, as he said very low, " No,
ma'am, I 'm glad, I wanted to stay, but I was afraid
you "
He did not finish, for Mrs. Bhaer interrupted him
by an exclamation of pity, as she saw his foot, for it
was seriously hurt.
"When did you do it?"
" Three days ago."
" And you have walked on it in this state? '
" I had a stick, and I washed it at every brook I
came to, and one woman gave me a rag to put
on it."
160 Little Men
" Mr. Bhaer must see and dress it at once," and
Mrs. Jo hastened into the next room, leaving the
door ajar behind her, so that Dan heard all that
passed.
" Fritz, that boy has come back."
"Who? Dan?"
" Yes, Teddy saw him at the window, and we called
to him, but he went away and hid behind the hay-
cocks on the lawn. I found him there just now fast
asleep, and half dead with weariness and pain. He
ran away from Page a month ago, and has been mak-
ing his way to us ever since. He pretends that he
did not mean to let us see him, but go on to the city,
and his old work, after a look at us. It is evident,
however, that the hope of being taken in has led him
here through every thing, and there he is waiting to
know if you will forgive and take him back."
"Did he say so?"
" His eyes did, and when I waked him, he said,
like a lost child, ' Mother Bhaer, I Ve come home.'
I had n't the heart to scold him, and just took him in
like a poor little black sheep come back to the fold.
I may keep him, Fritz?'
" Of course you may ! This proves to me that we
have a hold on the boy's heart, and I would no more
send him away now than I would my own Rob."
Dan heard a soft little sound, as if Mrs. Jo thanked
her husband without words, and, in the instant's
silence that followed, two great tears that had slowly
gathered in the boy's eyes brimmed over and rolled
down his dusty cheeks. No one saw them, for he
brushed them hastily away; but in that little pause
I think Dan's old distrust for these good people
Home Again 161
vanished for ever, the soft spot in his heart was
touched, and he felt an impetuous desire to prove
himself worthy of the love and pity that was so
patient and forgiving. He said nothing, he only
wished the wish with all his might, resolved to try in
his blind boyish way, and sealed his resolution with
the tears which neither pain, fatigue, nor loneliness
could wring from him.
" Come and see his foot. I am afraid it is badly
hurt, for he has kept on three days through heat and
dust, with nothing but water and an old jacket to bind
it up with. I tell you, Fritz, that boy is a brave lad,
and will make a fine man yet."
" I hope so, for your sake, enthusiastic woman,
your faith deserves success. Now, I will go and see
your little Spartan. Where is he?"
" In my room ; but, dear, you '11 be very kind to him,
no matter how gruff he seems. I am sure that is the
way to conquer him. He won't bear sternness nor
much restraint, but a soft word and infinite patience
will lead him as it used to lead me."
" As if you ever were like this little rascal ! " cried
Mr. Bhaer, laughing, yet half angry at the idea.
" I was in spirit, though I showed it in a different
way. I seem to know by instinct how he feels, to
understand what will win and touch him, and to
sympathize with his temptations and faults. I am
glad I do, for it will help me to help him; and if I can
make a good man of this wild boy, it will be the best
work of my life."
" God bless the work, and help the worker ! '
Mr. Bhaer spoke now as earnestly as she had done,
and both came in together to find Dan's head down
ii
1 62 Little Men
upon his arm, as if he was quite overcome by sleep.
But he looked up quickly, and tried to rise as Mr.
Bhaer said pleasantly,
" So you like Plumfield better than Page's farm.
Well, let us see if we can get on more comfortably
this time than we did before."
" Thanky, sir," said Dan, trying not to be gruff,
and finding it easier than he expected.
" Now, the foot ! Ach ! this is not well. We
must have Dr. Firth to-morrow. Warm water, Jo,
and old linen."
Mr. Bhaer bathed and bound up the wounded foot,
while Mrs. Jo prepared the only empty bed in the
house. It was in the little guest-chamber leading
from the parlor, and often used when the lads were
poorly, for it saved Mrs. Jo from running up and
down, and the invalids could see what was going on.
When it was ready, Mr. Bhaer took the boy in his
arms, and carried him in, helped him undress, laid
him on the little white bed, and left him with
another hand-shake, and a fatherly " Good-night, my
son.'
Dan dropped asleep at once, and slept heavily for
several hours ; then his foot began to throb and ache,
and he awoke to toss about uneasily, trying not to
groan lest any one should hear him, for he was a
brave lad, and did bear pain like " a little Spartan,"
as Mr. Bhaer called him.
Mrs. Jo had a way of flitting about the house at
night, to shut the windows if the wind grew chilly,
to draw mosquito curtains over Teddy, or look after
Tommy, who occasionally walked in his sleep. The
least noise waked her, and as she often heard imagi-
Home Again 163
nary robbers, cats, and conflagrations, the doors stood
open all about, so her quick ear caught the sound of
Dan's little moans, and she was up in a minute. He
was just giving his hot pillow a despairing thump
when a light came glimmering through the hall, and
Mrs. Jo crept in, looking like a droll ghost, with her
hair in a great knob on the top of her head, and a
long gray dressing-gown trailing behind her.
" Are you in pain, Dan ? '
" It 's pretty bad ; but I did n't mean to wake
you."
"I'm a sort of owl, always flying about at night.
Yes, your foot is like fire ; the bandages must be wet
again," and away flapped the maternal owl for more
cooling stuff, and a great mug of ice water.
" Oh, that 's so nice ! " sighed Dan, as the wet band-
ages went on again, and a long draught of water
cooled his thirsty throat.
" There, now> sleep your best, and don't be fright-
ened if you see me again, for I '11 slip down by and
by, and give you another sprinkle."
As she spoke, Mrs. Jo stooped to turn the pillow
and smooth the bed-clothes, when, to her great sur-
prise, Dan put his arm round her neck, drew her face
down to his, and kissed her, with a broken " Thank
you, ma'am," which said more than the most elo-
quent speech could have done ; for the hasty kiss,
the muttered words, meant, " I 'm sorry, I will try."
She understood it, accepted the unspoken confession,
and did not spoil it by any token of surprise. She
only remembered that he had no mother, kissed the
brown cheek half hidden on the pillow, as if ashamed
of that little touch of tenderness, and left him, saying,
164
Little Men
what he long remembered, " You are my boy now,
and if you choose you can make me proud and glad
to say so."
Once again, just at dawn, she stole down to find
him so fast asleep that he did not wake, and showed
no sign of consciousness as she wet his foot, except
that the lines of pain smoothed themselves away, and
left his face quite peaceful.
The day was Sunday, and the house so still that he
never waked till near noon, and, looking round him,
saw an eager little face peering in at the door. He
held out his arms, and Teddy tore across the room to
cast himself bodily upon the bed, shouting, " My
Danny *s turn ! ' as he hugged and wriggled with
delight. Mrs. Bhaer appeared next, bringing break-
fast, and never seeming to see how shamefaced Dan
looked at the memory of the little scene last night.
Teddy insisted on giving him his " betfus," and fed
him like a baby, which, as he was not very hungry,
Dan enjoyed very much.
Then came the doctor, and the poor Spartan had a
bad time of it, for some of the little bones of his foot
were injured, and putting them to rights was such a
painful job, that Dan's lips were white, and great
drops stood on his forehead, though he never cried
out, and only held Mrs. Jo's hand so tight that
it was red long afterwards.
" You must keep this boy quiet, for a week at least,
and not let him put his foot to the ground. By that
time, I shall know whether he may hop a little with a
crutch, or stick to his bed for a while longer," said
Dr. Firth, putting up the shining instruments that
Dan did not like to see.
Home Again 165
"It will get well sometime, won't it?" he asked,
looking alarmed at the word " crutches."
"I hope so; ' and with that the doctor departed,
leaving Dan much depressed ; for the loss of a foot
is a dreadful calamity to an active boy.
" Don't be troubled, I am a famous nurse, and we
will have you tramping about as well as ever in
a month," said Mrs. Jo, taking a hopeful view of the
case.
But the fear of bein; lame haunted Dan, and even
j
Teddy's caresses did not cheer him ; so Mrs. Jo pro-
posed that one or two of the boys should come in and
pay him a little visit, and asked whom he would like
to see.
" Nat and Demi ; I 'd like my hat too, there 's some-
thing in it I guess they 'd like to see. I suppose you
threw away my bundle of plunder?" said Dan, look-
ing rather anxious as he put the question.
u No, I kept it, for I thought they must be treasures
of some kind, you took such care of them ; " and Mrs.
Jo brought him his old straw hat stuck full of but-
terflies and beetles, and a handkerchief containing a
collection of odd things picked up on his way : birds'
eggs, carefully done up in moss, curious shells and
stones, bits of fungus, and several little crabs, in a
state of great indignation at their imprisonment.
"Could I have something to put these fellers in?
Mr. Hyde and I found 'em, and they are first-rate
ones, so I 'd like to keep and watch 'em ; can I ? '
asked Dan, forgetting his foot, and laughing to see
the crabs go sidling and backing over the bed.
" Of course you can ; Polly's old cage will be just
the thing. Don't let them nip Teddy's toes while I
1 66 Little Men
get it ; ' and away went Mrs. Jo, leaving Dan over-
joyed to find that his treasures were not considered
rubbish, and thrown away.
Nat, Demi, and the cage arrived together, and the
crabs were settled in their new house, to the great
delight of the boys, who, in the excitement of the per-
formance, forgot any awkwardness they might other-
wise have felt in greeting the runaway. To these
admiring listeners Dan related his adventures much
more fully than he had done to the Bhaers. Then he
displayed his " plunder," and described each article
so well, that Mrs. Jo, who had retired to the next
room to leave them free, was surprised and interested,
as well as amused, at their boyish chatter.
" How much the lad knows of these things ! how
absorbed he is in them ! and what a mercy it is just
now, for he cares so little for books, it would be hard
to amuse him while he is laid up ; but the boys can
supply him with beetles and stones to any extent,
and I am glad to find out this taste of his ; it is a
good one, and may perhaps prove the making of
him. If he should turn out a great naturalist, and
Nat a musician, I should have cause to be proud of
this year's work;" and Mrs. Jo sat smiling over her
book as she built castles in the air, just as she used to
do when a girl, only then they were for herself, and
now they were for other people, which is the reason
perhaps that some of them came to pass in reality
- for charity is an excellent foundation to build any-
thing upon.
Nat was most interested in the adventures, but
Demi enjoyed the beetles and butterflies immensely,
drinking in the history of their changeful little lives
Home Again 167
as if it were a new and lovely sort of fairy tale - - for,
even in his plain way, Dan told it well, and found
great satisfaction in the thought that here at least the
small philosopher could learn of him. So interested
were they in the account of catching a musk rat,
whose skin was among the treasures, that Mr. Bhaer
had to come himself to tell Nat and Demi it was time
for the walk. Dan looked so wistfully after them as
they ran off, that Father Bhaer proposed carrying
him to the sofa in the parlor for a little change of air
and scene.
When he was established, and the house quiet, Mrs.
Jo, who sat near by showing Teddy pictures, said, in
an interested tone, as she nodded towards the treas-
ures still in Dan's hands,
" Where did you learn so much about these
things?"
" I always liked 'em, but didn't know much till Mr.
Hyde told me."
"Who was Mr. Hyde?"
" Oh, he was a man who lived round in the woods
studying these things I don't know what you call
him and wrote about frogs, and fishes, and so on.
He stayed at Page's, and used to want me to go and
help him, and it was great fun, 'cause he told me ever
so much, and was uncommon jolly and wise. Hope
I '11 see him again sometime."
" I hope you will," said Mrs. Jo, for Dan's face had
brightened up, and he was so interested in the matter
that he forgot his usual taciturnity.
" Why, he could make birds come to him, and rab-
bits and squirrels did n't mind him any more than if
he was a tree. He never hurt 'em, and they seemed
1 68 Little Men
to know him. Did you ever tickle a lizard with a
straw? " asked Dan, eagerly.
" No, but I should like to try it."
" Well, I Ve done it, and it 's so funny to see 'em
turn over and stretch out, they like it so much. Mr.
Hyde used to do it; and he 'd make snakes listen to
him while he whistled, and he knew just when certain
flowers would blow, and bees would n't sting him, and
he 'd tell the wonderfullest things about fish and flies,
and the Indians and the rocks."
" I think you were so fond of going with Mr. Hyde,
you rather neglected Mr. Page," said Mrs. Jo, slyly.
" Yes, I did ; I hated to have to weed and hoe when
I might be tramping round with Mr. Hyde. Page
thought such things silly, and called Mr. Hyde crazy
because he 'd lay hours watching a trout or a bird."
" Suppose you say lie instead of lay, it is better
grammar," said Mrs. Jo, very gently ; and then added,
" Yes, Page is a thorough farmer, and would not
understand that a naturalist's work was just as inter-
esting, and perhaps just as important as his own.
Now, Dan, if you really love these things, as I think
you do, and I am glad to see it, you shall have time
to study them and books to help you ; but I want
you to do something besides, and to do it faithfully,
else you will be sorry by and by, and find that you
have got to begin again."
" Yes, ma'am," said Dan, meekly, and looked a
little scared by the serious tone of the last remarks,
for he hated books, yet had evidently made up his
mind to study anything she proposed.
" Do you see that cabinet with twelve drawers in
it?" was the next very unexpected question.
Home Again 169
Dan did see two tall old-fashioned ones standing on
either side of the piano ; he knew them well, and had
often seen nice bits of string, nails, brown paper, and
such useful matters come out of the various drawers.
He nodded and smiled. Mrs. Jo went on,
" Well, don't you think those drawers would be
good places to put your eggs, and stones, and shells,
and lichens? '
" Oh, splendid, but you would n't like my things
( clutterin' round,' as Mr. Page used to say, would
you?" cried Dan, sitting up to survey the old piece
of furniture with sparkling eyes.
" I like litter of that sort; and if I did n't, I should
give you the drawers, because I have a regard for
children's little treasures, and think they should be
treated respectfully. Now, I am going to make a bar-
gain with you, Dan, and I hope you will keep it
honorably. Here are twelve good-sized drawers, one
for each month of the year, and they shall be yours as
fast as you earn them, by doing the little duties that
belong to you. I believe in rewards of a certain kind,
especially for young folks ; they help us along, and
though we may begin by being good for the sake of
the reward, if it is rightly used, we shall soon learn to
love goodness for itself."
" Do you have 'em? " asked Dan, looking as if this
was new talk for him.
" Yes, indeed ! I have n't learnt to get on without
them yet. My rewards are not drawers, or presents,
or holidays, but they are things which I like as much
as you do the others. The good behavior and suc-
cess of my boys is one of the rewards I love best, and
I work for it as I want you to work for your cabinet.
170 Little Men
Do what you dislike, and do it well, and you get two
rewards, one, the prize you see and hold ; the
other, the satisfaction of a duty cheerfully performed.
Do you understand that?'
" Yes, ma'am."
" We all need these little helps ; so you shall try to
do your lessons and your work, play kindly with all
the boys, and use your holidays well ; and if you
bring me a good report, or if I see and know it with-
out words for I 'm quick to spy out the good little
efforts of my boys you shall have a compartment
in the drawer for your treasures. See, some are
already divided into four parts, and I will have the
others made in the same way, a place for each week ;
and when the drawer is filled with curious and pretty
things, I shall be as proud of it as you are ; prouder,
I think for in the pebbles, mosses, and gay butter-
flies, I shall see good resolutions carried out, con-
quered faults, and a promise well kept. Shall we do
this, Dan?"
The boy answered with one of the looks which said
much, for it showed that he felt and understood her
wish and words, although he did not know how to
express his interest and gratitude for such care and
kindness. She understood the look, and seeing by
the color that flushed up to his forehead that he was
touched, as she wished him to be, she said no more
about that side of the new plan, but pulled out the
upper drawer, dusted it, and set it on two chairs
before the sofa, saying briskly,
" Now, let us begin at once by putting those nice
beetles in a safe place. These compartments will
hold a good deal, you see. I 'd pin the butterflies
Home Again 171
and bugs round the sides ; they will be quite safe
there, and leave room for the heavy things below.
I '11 give you some cotton wool, and clean paper
and pins, and you can get ready for the week's
work."
" But I can't go out to find any new things," said
Dan, looking piteously at his foot.
"That's true; never mind, we'll let these treasures
do for this week, and I dare say the boys will bring
you loads of things if you ask them."
" They don't know the right sort ; besides, if I lay,
no, lie here all the time, I can't work and study, and
earn my drawers."
" There are plenty of lessons you can learn lying
there, and several little jobs of work you can do for
me.'
" Can I ? ' and Dan looked both surprised and
pleased.
" You can learn to be patient and cheerful in
spite t of pain and no play. You can amuse Teddy
for me, wind cotton, read to me when I sew, and
do many things without hurting your foot, which
will make the days pass quickly, and not be wasted
ones.'
Here Demi ran in with a great butterfly in one
hand, and a very ugly little toad in the other.
" See, Dan, I found them, and ran back to give
them to you; aren't they beautiful ones?' panted
Demi, all out of breath.
Dan laughed at the toad, and said he had no place
to put him, but the butterfly was a beauty, and if
Mrs. Jo would give him a big pin, he would stick it
right up in the drawer.
172 Little Men /
" I don't like to see the poor thing struggle on a
pin ; if it must be killed, let us put it out of pain at
once with a drop of camphor," said Mrs. Jo, getting
out the bottle.
"I know how to do it Mr. Hyde always killed
'em that way- - but I didn't have any camphor, so I
use a pin," and Dan gently poured a drop on the
insect's head, when the pale green wings fluttered an
instant, and then grew still.
This dainty little execution was hardly over when
Teddy shouted from the bedroom, " Oh, the little
trabs are out, and the big one's eaten 'em all up."
Demi and his aunt ran to the rescue, and found
Teddy dancing excitedly in a chair, while two little
crabs were scuttling about the floor, having got
through the wires of the cage. A third was clinging
to the top of the cage, evidently in terror of his life,
for below appeared a sad yet funny sight. The big
crab had wedged himself into the little recess where
Polly's cup used to stand, and there he sat eating one
of his relations in the coolest way. All the claws of
the poor victim were pulled off, and he was turned
upside down, his upper shell held in one claw close
under the mouth of the big crab like a dish, while he
leisurely ate out of it with the other claw, pausing
now and then to turn his queer bulging eyes from
side to side, and to put out a slender tongue and
lick them in a way that made the children scream
with laughter. Mrs. Jo carried the cage in for Dan
to see the sight, while Demi caught and confined the
wanderers under an inverted wash-bowl.
" I '11 have to let these fellers go, for I can't keep
'em in the house," said Dan, with evident regret.
Home Again 173
" I '11 take care of them for you, if you will tell me
how, and they can live in my turtle-tank just as well
as not," said Demi, who found them more interesting
even than his beloved slow turtles. So Dan gave
him directions about the wants and habits of the
crabs, and Demi bore them away to introduce them to
their new home and neighbors. " What a good boy
he is ! " said Dan, carefully settling the first butterfly,
and remembering that Demi had given up his walk to
bring it to him.
" He ought to be, for a great deal has been done
to make him so."
" He 's had folks to tell him things, and to help
him ; I have n't," said Dan, with a sigh, think-
ing of his neglected childhood, a thing he seldom
did, and feeling as if he had not had fair play
somehow.
" I know it, dear, and for that reason I don't ex-
pect as much from you as from Demi, though he is
younger; you shall have all the help that we can
give you now, and I hope to teach you how to help
yourself in the best way. Have you forgotten what
Father Bhaer told you when you were here before,
about wanting to be good, and asking God to help
you?"
" No, ma'am," very low.
" Do you try that way still? '
" No, ma'am," lower still.
" Will you do it every night to please me? '
" Yes, ma'am," very soberly.
" I shall depend on it, and I think I shall know if
you are faithful to your promise, for these things
always show to people who believe in them, though
174 Little Men
not a word is said. Now here is a pleasant story
about a boy who hurt his foot worse than you did
yours ; read it, and see how bravely he bore his
troubles."
She put that charming little book, " The Crofton
Boys," into his hands, and left him for an hour, pass-
ing in and out from time to time that he might not
feel lonely. Dan did not love to read, but soon got
so interested that he was surprised when the boys
came home. Daisy brought him a nosegay of wild
flowers, and Nan insisted on helping bring him his
supper, as he lay on the sofa with the door open into
the dining-room, so that he could see the lads at
table, and they could nod socially to him over their
bread and butter.
Mr. Bhaer carried him away to his bed early, and
Teddy came in his night-gown to say good-night, for
he went to his little nest with the birds.
"I want to say my prayers to Danny; may I?'
he asked; and when his mother said, " Yes," the little
fellow knelt down by Dan's bed, and folding his
chubby hands, said softly,
" Pease Dod bess everybody, and hep me to be
dood."
Then he went away smiling with sleepy sweetness
over his mother's shoulder.
But after the evening talk was done, the evening
song sung, and the house grew still with beautiful
Sunday silence, Dan lay in his pleasant room wide
awake, thinking new thoughts, feeling new hopes and
desires stirring in his boyish heart, for two good
angels had entered in : love and gratitude began the
work which time and effort were to finish ; and with
Home Again 175
an earnest wish to keep his first promise, Dan folded
his hands together in the darkness, and softly whis-
pered Teddy's little prayer,
" Please God bless every one, and help me to be
good."
CHAPTER XI
UNCLE TEDDY
FOR a week Dan only moved from bed to sofa ;
a long week and a hard one, for the hurt foot
was very painful at times, the quiet days very
wearisome to the active lad, longing to be out enjoy-
ing the summer weather, and especially difficult was
it to be patient. But Dan did his best, and every one
helped him in their various ways ; so the time passed,
and he was rewarded at last by hearing the doctor
say, on Saturday morning,
" This foot is doing better than I expected. Give
the lad the crutch this afternoon, and let him stump
about the house a little."
" Hooray ! ' shouted Nat, and raced away to tell
the other boys the good news.
Everybody was very glad, and after dinner the
whole flock assembled to behold Dan crutch himself
up and down the hall a few times before he settled in
the porch to hold a sort of levfe. He was much
pleased at the interest and good-will shown him, and
brightened up more and more every minute ; for the
boys came to pay their respects, the little girls fussed
about him with stools and cushions, and Teddy
watched over him as if he was a frail creature unable
to do any thing for himself. They were still sitting
Uncle Teddy 17
and standing about the steps, when a carriage stopped
at the gate, a hat was waved from it, and with a shout
of " Uncle Teddy! Uncle Teddy !' Rob scampered
down the avenue as fast as his short legs would carry
him. All the boys but Dan ran after him to see who
should be first to open the gate, and in a moment the
carriage drove up with boys swarming all over it,
while Uncle Teddy sat laughing in the midst, with his
little daughter on his knee.
"Stop the triumphal car and let Jupiter descend,"
he said, and jumping out ran up the steps to meet
Mrs. Bhaer, who stood smiling and clapping her
hands like a girl.
" How goes it, Teddy?'
" All right, Jo."
Then they shook hands, and Mr. Laurie put Bess
into her aunt's arms, saying, as the child hugged her
tight, " Goldilocks wanted to see you so much that I
ran away with her, for I was quite pining for a sight
of you myself. We want to play with your boys for
an hour or so, and to see how * the old woman who
lived in a shoe, and had so many children she did not
know what to do,' is getting on."
" I 'm so glad ! Play away, and don't get into mis-
chief," answered Mrs. Jo, as the lads crowded round
the pretty child, admiring her long golden hair, dainty
dress, and lofty ways, for the little " Princess," as they
called her, allowed no one to kiss her, but sat smiling
down upon them, and graciously patting their heads
with her little, white hands. They all adored her,
especially Rob, who considered her a sort of doll,
and dared not touch her lest she should break, but
worshipped her at a respectful distance, made happy
12
178
Little Men
by an occasional mark of favor from her little high-
ness. As she immediately demanded to see Daisy's
kitchen, she was borne off by Mrs. Jo, with a train of
small boys following. The others, all but Nat and
Demi, ran away to the menagerie and gardens to
have all in order ; for Mr. Laurie always took a
general survey, and looked disappointed if things
were not flourishing.
Standing on the steps, he turned to Dan, saying
like an old acquaintance, though he had only seen
him once or twice before,
"How is the foot?"
" Better, sir."
" Rather tired of the house, are n't you ? '
" Guess I am ! " and Dan's eyes roved away to the
green hills and woods where he longed to be.
" Suppose we take a little turn before the others
come back? That big, easy carriage will be quite
safe and comfortable, and a breath of fresh air will do
you good. Get a cushion and a shawl, Demi, and
let's carry Dan off."
The boys thought it a capital joke, and Dan looked
delighted, but asked, with an unexpected burst of
virtue,
"Will Mrs. Bhaerlike it?"
" Oh, yes ; we settled all that a minute ago."
" You did n't say any thing about it, so I don't see
how you could," said Demi, inquisitively.
" We have a way of sending messages to one
another, without any words. It is a great improve-
ment on the telegraph."
" I know it 's eyes ; I saw you lift your eyebrows,
and nod toward the carriage, and Mrs. Bhaer laughed
Uncle Teddy 179
and nodded back again," cried Nat, who was quite at
his ease with kind Mr. Laurie by this time.
" Right. Now then, come on," and in a minute
Dan found himself settled in the carriage, his foot on
a cushion on the seat opposite, nicely covered with a
shawl, which fell down from the upper regions in a
most mysterious manner, just when they wanted it.
Demi climbed up to the box beside Peter, the black
coachman. Nat sat next Dan in the place of honor,
while Uncle Teddy would sit opposite, - to take
care of the foot, he said, but really that he might
study the faces before him both so happy, yet so
different, for Dan's was square, and brown, and strong,
while Nat's was long, and fair, and rather weak, but
very amiable with its mild eyes and good forehead.
" By the way, I Ve got a book somewhere here that
you may like to see," said the oldest boy of the party,
diving under the seat and producing a book which
made Dan exclaim,
" Oh ! by George, isn't that a stunner?' as he
turned the leaves, and saw fine plates of butterflies,
and birds, and every sort of interesting insect, colored
like life. He was so charmed that he forgot his
thanks, but Mr. Laurie did not mind, and was quite
satisfied to see the boy's eager delight, and to hear
his exclamations over certain old friends as he came
to them. Nat leaned on his shoulder to look, and
Demi turned his back to the horses, and let his feet
dangle inside the carriage, so that he might join in
the conversation.
When they got among the beetles, Mr. Laurie took
a curious little object out of his vest-pocket, and lay-
ing it in the palm of his hand, said,
180 Little Men
"There 's a beetle that is thousands of years old; '
and then, while the lads examined the queer stone-
bug, that looked so old and gray, he told them how
it came out of the wrappings of a mummy, after lying
for ages in a famous tomb. Finding them interested,
he went on to tell about the Egyptians, and the
strange and splendid ruins they have left behind them
the Nile, and how he sailed up the mighty river,
with the handsome dark men to work his boat ; how
he shot alligators, saw wonderful beasts and birds ;
and afterwards crossed the desert on a camel, who
pitched him about like a ship in a storm.
" Uncle Teddy tells stories 'most as well as Grand-
pa," said Demi, approvingly, when the tale was done,
and the boys' eyes asked for more.
" Thank you," said Mr. Laurie, quite soberly, for he
considered Demi's praise worth having, for children
are good critics in such cases, and to suit them is an
accomplishment that any one may be proud of.
" Here 's another trifle or two that I tucked into
my pocket as I was turning over my traps to see if I
had any thing that would amuse Dan," and Uncle
Teddy produced a fine arrow-head and a string of
wampum.
" Oh ! tell about the Indians," cried Demi, who
was fond of playing wigwam.
" Dan knows lots about them," added Nat.
" More than I do, I dare say. Tell us something,"
and Mr. Laurie looked as interested as the other two.
" Mr. Hyde told me ; he 's been among 'em, and
can talk their talk, and likes 'em," began Dan, flattered
by their attention, but rather embarrassed by having
a grown-up listener.
Uncle Teddy i 8 i
" What is wampum for? " asked curious Demi, from
his perch.
The others asked questions likewise, and, before he
knew it, Dan was reeling off all Mr. Hyde had told
him, as they sailed down the river a few weeks before.
Mr. Laurie listened well, but found the boy more
interesting than the Indians, for Mrs. Jo had told him
about Dan, and he rather took a fancy to the wild
lad, who ran away as he himself had often longed to
do, and who was slowly getting tamed by pain and
patience.
" I Ve been thinking that it would be a good plan
for you fellows to have a museum of your own ; a place
in which to collect all the curious and interesting
things that you find, and make, and have given you.
Mrs. Jo is too kind to complain, but it is rather hard
for her to have the house littered up with all sorts of
rattletraps, half-a-pint of dor-bugs in one of her
best vases, for instance, a couple of dead bats nailed
up in the back entry, wasps' nests tumbling down on
people's heads, and stones lying round everywhere,
enough to pave the avenue. There are not many
women who would stand that sort of thing, are there,
now?"
As Mr. Laurie spoke with a merry look in his eyes,
the boys laughed and nudged one another, for it was
evident that some one told tales out of school, else
how could he know of the existence of these incon-
venient treasures.
" Where can we put them, then? " said Demi, cross-
ing his legs and leaning down to argue the question.
" In the old carriage-house."
" But it leaks, and there is n't any window, nor any
1 82 Little Men
place to put things, and it 's all dust and cobwebs,"
began Nat.
" Wait till Gibbs and I have touched it up a bit,
and then see how you like it. He is to come over on
Monday to get it ready ; then next Saturday I shall
come out, and we will fix it up, and make the begin-
ning, at least, of a fine little museum. Every one can
bring his things, and have a place for them ; and Dan
is to be the head man, because he knows most about
such matters, and it will be quiet, pleasant work for
him now that he can't knock about much."
" Won't that be jolly?" cried Nat, while Dan
smiled all over his face and had not a word to say,
but hugged his book, and looked at Mr. Laurie as if
he thought him one of the greatest public benefactors
that ever blessed the world.
" Shall I go round again, sir? " asked Peter, as they
came to the gate, after two slow turns about the half-
mile triangle.
" No, we must be prudent, else we can't come
again. I must go over the premises, take a look at
the carriage-house, and have a little talk with Mrs. Jo
before I go ; ' and, having deposited Dan on his sofa
to rest and enjoy his book, Uncle Teddy went off to
have a frolic with the lads who were raging about the
place in search of him. Leaving the little girls to
mess up-stairs, Mrs. Bhaer sat down by Dan, and
listened to his eager account of the drive till the
flock returned, dusty, warm, and much excited about
the new museum, which every one considered the
most brilliant idea of the age.
" I always wanted to endow some sort of an in-
stitution, and I am going to begin with this," said
Uncle Teddy 183
Mr. Laurie, sitting down on a stool at Mrs. Jo's
feet.
" You have endowed one already. What do you
call this?" and Mrs. Jo pointed to the happy-faced
lads, who had camped upon the floor about them.
" I call it a very promising Bhaer-garden, and I 'm
proud to be a member of it. Did you know I was
the head boy in this school?" he asked, turning to
Dan, and changing the subject skilfully, for he hated
to be thanked for the generous things he did.
" I thought Franz was ! " answered Dan, wondering
what the man meant.
" Oh, dear no ! I 'm the first boy Mrs. Jo ever had
to take care of, and I was such a bad one that she
is n't done with me yet, though she has been working
at me for years and years."
" How old she must be ! " said Nat, innocently.
" She began early, you see. Poor thing ! she was
only fifteen when she took me, and I led her such a
life, it 's a wonder she is n't wrinkled and gray, and
quite worn out," and Mr. Laurie looked up at her
laughing.
" Don't, Teddy; I won't have you abuse yourself
so ; ' and Mrs. Jo stroked the curly black head at her
knee as affectionately as ever, for, in spite of every
thing, Teddy was her boy still.
" If it had n't been for you, there never would have
been a Plumfield. It was my success with you, sir,
that gave me courage to try my pet plan. So the
boys may thank you for it, and name the new insti-
tution * The Laurence Museum,' in honor of its
founder, won't we, boys? " she added, looking very
like the lively Jo of old times.
184
Little Men
" We will ! we will ! ' shouted the boys, throwing
up their hats, for though they had taken them off on
entering the house, according to rule, they had been
in too much of a hurry to hang them up.
" I 'm as hungry as a bear, can't I have a
cookie?' asked Mr. Laurie, when the shout sub-
sided and he had expressed his thanks by a splendid
bow.
" Trot out and ask Asia for the gingerbread-box,
Demi. It is n't in order to eat between meals, but,
on this joyful occasion, we won't mind, and have a
cookie all round," said Mrs. Jo ; and when the box
came she dealt them out with a liberal hand, every
one munching away in a social circle.
Suddenly, in the midst of a bite, Mr. Laurie cried
out, " Bless my heart, I forgot grandma's bundle ! "
and running out to the carriage, returned with an
interesting white parcel, which, being opened, dis-
closed a choice collection of beasts, birds, and pretty
things cut out of crisp sugary cake, and baked a
lovely brown.
" There 's one for each, and a letter to tell which is
whose. Grandma and Hannah made them, and I
tremble to think what would have happened to me if
I had forgotten to leave them."
Then, amid much laughing and fun, the cakes were
distributed. A fish for Dan, a fiddle for Nat, a book
for Demi, a monkey for Tommy, a flower for Daisy,
a hoop for Nan, who had driven twice round the tri-
angle without stopping, a star for Emil, who put on
airs because he studied astronomy, and, best of all, an
omnibus for Franz, whose great delight was to drive
the family bus. Stuffy got a fat pig, and the little
Uncle Teddy 185
folks had birds, and cats, and rabbits, with black cur-
rant eyes.
" Now I must go. Where is my Goldilocks?
Mamma will come flying out to get her if I 'm not
back early," said Uncle Teddy, when the last crumb
had vanished, which it speedily did, you may be sure.
The young ladies had gone into the garden, and
while they waited till Franz looked them up, Jo and
Laurie stood at the door talking together.
"How does little Giddy-gaddy come on?' 1 he
asked, for Nan's pranks amused him very much, and
he was never tired of teasing Jo about her.
" Nicely; she is getting quite mannerly, and begins
to see the error of her wild ways."
" Don't the boys encourage her in them? '
" Yes ; but I keep talking, and lately she has im-
proved much. You saw how prettily she shook hands
with you, and how gentle she was with Bess. Daisy's
example has its effect upon her, and I 'm quite sure
that a few months will work wonders."
Here Mrs. Jo's remarks were cut short by the ap-
pearance of Nan tearing round the corner at a break-
neck pace, driving a mettlesome team of four boys,
and followed by Daisy trundling Bess in a wheelbar-
row. Hats off, hair flying, whip cracking, and barrow
bumping, up they came in a cloud of dust, looking as
wild a set of little hoydens as one would wish to see.
" So these are the model children, are they? It 's
lucky I did n't bring Mrs. Curtis out to see your
school for the cultivation of morals and manners ; she
would never have recovered from the shock of this
spectacle," said Mr. Laurie, laughing at Mrs. Jo's pre-
mature rejoicing over Nan's improvement.
1 86 Little Men
" Laugh away ; I '11 succeed yet. As you used to
say at College, quoting some professor, * Though the
experiment has failed, the principle remains the
same,' ' said Mrs. Bhaer, joining in the merriment.
" I 'm afraid Nan's example is taking effect upon
Daisy, instead of the other way. Look at my little
princess ! she has utterly forgotten her dignity, and
is screaming like the rest. Young ladies, what does
this mean? " and Mr. Laurie rescued his small daughter
from impending destruction, for the four horses were
champing their bits and curvetting madly all about
her, as she sat brandishing a great whip in both
hands.
" We 're having a race, and I beat," shouted Nan.
"I could have run faster, only I was afraid of spill-
ing Bess," screamed Daisy.
" Hi ! go long ! " cried the princess, giving such a
flourish with her whip that the horses ran away, and
were seen no more.
" My precious child ! come away from this ill-man-
nered crew before you are quite spoilt. Good-by,
Jo ! Next time I come, I shall expect to find the
boys making patchwork."
" It would n't hurt them a bit. I don't give in,
mind you ; for my experiments always fail a few
times before they succeed. Love to Amy and my
blessed Marmee," called Mrs. Jo, as the carriage
drove away ; and the last Mr. Laurie saw of her, she
was consoling Daisy for her failure by a ride in the
wheelbarrow, and looking as if she liked it.
Great was the excitement all the week about the
repairs in the carriage-house, which went briskly on
in spite of the incessant questions, advice, and med-
Uncle Teddy 187
dling of the boys. Old Gibbs was nearly driven wild
with it all, but managed to do his work nevertheless ;
and by Friday night the place was all in order roof
mended, shelves up, walls whitewashed, a great win-
dow cut at the back, which let in a flood of sunshine,
and gave them a fine view of the brook, the meadows,
and the distant hills ; and over the great door, painted
in red letters, was " The Laurence Museum."
All Saturday morning the boys were planning how
it should be furnished with their spoils, and when Mr.
Laurie arrived, bringing an aquarium which Mrs.
Amy said she was tired of, their rapture was
great.
The afternoon was spent in arranging things,
and when the running and lugging and hammering
was over, the ladies were invited to behold the
institution.
It certainly was a pleasant place, airy, clean, and
bright. A hop-vine shook its green bells round the
open window, the pretty aquarium stood in the
middle of the room, with some delicate water plants
rising above the water, and gold-fish showing their
brightness as they floated to and fro below. On
either side of the window were rows of shelves ready
to receive the curiosities yet to be found. Dan's tall
cabinet stood before the great door which was
fastened up, while the small door was to be used.
On the cabinet stood a queer Indian idol, very ugly,
but very interesting; old Mr. Laurence sent it, as
well as a fine Chinese junk in full sail, which had a
conspicuous place on the long table in the middle of
the room. Above, swinging in a loop, and looking
as if she was alive, hung Polly, who died at an
1 88 Little Men
advanced age, had been carefully stuffed, and was
now presented by Mrs. Jo. The walls were decorated
with all sorts of things. A snake's skin, a big wasp's
nest, a birch-bark canoe, a string of birds' eggs,
wreaths of gray moss from the South, and a bunch of
cotton-pods. The dead bats had a place, also a large
turtle-shell, and an ostrich-egg proudly presented by
Demi, who volunteered to explain these rare curiosi-
ties to guests whenever they liked. There were so
many stones that it was impossible to accept them
all, so only a few of the best were arranged among
the shells on the shelves, the rest were piled up in
corners, to be examined by Dan at his leisure.
Every one was eager to give something, even Silas,
who sent home for a stuffed wild-cat killed in his
youth. It was rather moth-eaten and shabby, but on
a high bracket and best side foremost the effect was
fine, for the yellow glass eyes glared, and the mouth
snarled so naturally, that Teddy shook in his little
shoes at sight of it, when he came bringing his most
cherished treasure, one cocoon, to lay upon the
shrine of science.
" Isn't it beautiful? I 'd no idea we had so many
curious things. I gave that; don't it look well? We
might make a lot by charging something for letting
folks see it."
Jack added that last suggestion to the general chat-
ter that went on as the family viewed the room.
" This is a free museum and if there is any specu-
lating on it I '11 paint out the name over the door,"
said Mr. Laurie, turning so quickly that Jack wished
he had held his tongue.
" Hear ! hear ! " cried Mr. Bhaer.
Uncle Teddy 189
" Speech ! speech ! " added Mrs. Jo.
" Can't, I 'm too bashful. You give them a lecture
yourself you are used to it, " Mr. Laurie answered,
retreating towards the window, meaning to escape.
But she held him fast, and said, laughing as she
looked at the dozen pairs of dirty hands about
her,
" If I did lecture, it would be on the chemical and
cleansing properties of soap. Come now, as the
founder of the institution, you really ought to
give us a few moral remarks, and we will applaud
tremendously."
Seeing that there was no way of escaping, Mr.
Laurie looked up at Polly hanging overhead, seemed
to find inspiration in the brilliant old bird, and sitting
down upon the table, said, in his pleasant way, -
" There is one thing I 'd like to suggest, boys, and
that is, I want you to get some good as well as much
pleasure out of this. Just putting curious or pretty
things here won't do it ; so suppose you read up
about them, so that when anybody asks questions
you can answer them, and understand the matter. I
used to like these things myself, and should enjoy
hearing about them now, for I 've forgotten all I once
knew. It wasn't much, was it, Jo? Here's Dan
now, full of stories about birds, and bugs, and so on ;
let him take care of the museum, and once a week
the rest of you take turns to read a composition, or
tell about some animal, mineral, or vegetable. We
should all like that, and I think it would put con-
siderable useful knowledge into our heads. What do
you say, Professor?"
" I 'd like it much, and will give the lads all the
Little Men
help I can. But they will need books to read up
these new subjects, and we have not many, I fear,"
began Mr. Bhaer, looking much pleased, and plan-
ning many fine lectures on geology, which he
liked. " We should have a library for the special
purpose."
" Is that a useful sort of book, Dan? " asked Mr.
Laurie, pointing to the volume that lay open by the
cabinet.
" Oh, yes ! it tells all I want to know about insects.
I had it here to see how to fix the butterflies right.
I covered it, so it is not hurt; " and Dan caught it
up, fearing the lender might think him careless.
" Give it here a minute ; ' and, pulling out his
pencil, Mr. Laurie wrote Dan's name in it, saying, as
he set the book up on one of the corner shelves,
where nothing stood but a stuffed bird without a tail,
" There, that is the beginning of the museum library.
I '11 hunt up some more books, and Demi shall keep
them in order. Where are those jolly little books we
used to read, Jo ? ' Insect Architecture ' or some such
name, all about ants having battles, and bees having
queens, and crickets eating holes in our clothes and
stealing milk, and larks of that sort."
" In the garret at home. I '11 have them sent out,
and we will plunge into Natural History with a will,"
said Mrs. Jo, ready for any thing.
" Won't it be hard to write about such things?"
asked Nat, who hated compositions.
" At first, perhaps ; but you will soon like it. If you
think that hard, how would you like to have this sub-
ject given to you, as it was to a girl of thirteen : A
conversation between Themistocles, Aristides, and
Uncle Teddy i 91
Pericles on the proposed appropriation of the funds
of the confederacy of Delos for the ornamentation of
Athens?" said Mrs. Jo.
The boys groaned at the mere sound of the long
names, and the gentlemen laughed at the absurdity
of the lesson.
" Did she write it?' asked Demi, in an awe-
stricken tone.
" Yes, but you can imagine what a piece of work she
made of it, though she was rather a bright child."
" I 'd like to have seen it, " said Mr. Bhaer.
11 Perhaps I can find it for you ; I went to school
with her," and Mrs. Jo looked so wicked that every
one knew who the little girl was.
Hearing of this fearful subject for a composition
quite reconciled the boys to the thought of writing
about familiar things. Wednesday afternoon was ap-
pointed for the lectures, as they preferred to call
them, for some chose to talk instead of write. Mr.
Bhaer promised a portfolio in which the written pro-
ductions should be kept, and Mrs. Bhaer said she
would attend the course with great pleasure.
Then the dirty-handed society went off to wash,
followed by the Professor, trying to calm the anxiety
of Rob, who had been told by Tommy that all water
was full of invisible pollywogs.
" I like your plan very much, only don't be too
generous, Teddy," said Mrs. Bhaer, when they were
left alone. " You know most of the boys have got
to paddle their own canoes when they leave us, and
too much sitting in the lap of luxury will unfit them
for it."
" I '11 be moderate, but do let me amuse myself. I
1 92 Little Men
get desperately tired of business sometimes, and
nothing freshens me up like a good frolic with your
boys. I like that Dan very much, Jo. He is n't
demonstrative ; but he has the eye of a hawk, and
when you have tamed him a little he will do you
credit."
" I 'm so glad you think so. Thank you very
much for your kindness to him, especially for this
museum affair ; it will keep him happy while he is
lame, give me a chance to soften and smooth this
poor, rough lad, and make him love us. What did
inspire you with such a beautiful, helpful idea,
Teddy?' asked Mrs. Bhaer, glancing back at the
pleasant room, as she turned to leave it.
Laurie took both her hands in his, and answered,
with a look that made her eyes fill with happy tears,
" Dear Jo ! I have known what it is to be a mother-
less boy, and I never can forget how much you and
yours have done for me all these years."
CHAPTER XII
HUCKLEBERRIES
THERE was a great clashing of tin pails,
much running to and fro, and frequent
demands for something to eat, one August
afternoon, for the boys were going huckleberrying,
and made as much stir about it as if they were set-
ting out to find the North-West Passage.
" Now, my lads, get off as quietly as you can, for
Rob is safely out of the way, and won't see you,"
said Mrs. Bhaer, as she tied Daisy's broad-brimmed
hat, and settled the great blue pinafore in which she
had enveloped Nan.
But the plan did not succeed, for Rob had heard
the bustle, decided to go, and prepared himself, with-
out a thought of disappointment. The troop was just
getting under way when the little man came marching
down-stairs with his best hat on, a bright tin pail in
his hand, and a face beaming with satisfaction.
" Oh, dear ! now we shall have a scene," sighed
Mrs. Bhaer, who found her eldest son very hard to
manage at times.
" I 'm all ready," said Rob, and took his place in the
ranks with such perfect unconsciousness of his mis-
take, that it really was very hard to undeceive him.
" It 's too far for you, my love; stay and take care
pf me ; for I shall be all alone," began his mother,
1 94 Little Men
" You 've got Teddy. I 'm a big boy, so I can go ;
you said I might when I was bigger, and I am now,"
persisted Rob, with a cloud beginning to dim the
brightness of his happy face.
" We are going up to the great pasture, and it 's
ever so far; we don't want you tagging on," cried
Jack, who did not admire the little boys.
"I won't tag, I'll run and keep up. O Mamma!
let me go ! I want to fill my new pail, and I '11 bring
'em all to you. Please, please, I will be good ! '
prayed Robby, looking up at his mother, so grieved
and disappointed that her heart began to fail her.
" But, my deary, you '11 get so tired and hot you
won't have a good time. Wait till I go, and then we
will stay all day, and pick as many berries as you
want"
" You never do go, you are so busy, and I 'in tired
of waiting. I 'd rather go and get the berries for you
all myself. I love to pick 'em, and I want to fill my
new pail dreffly," sobbed Rob.
The pathetic sight of great tears tinkling into the
dear new pail, and threatening to fill it with salt water
instead of huckleberries, touched all the ladies present.
His mother patted the weeper on his back ; Daisy
offered to stay at home with him ; and Nan said, in
her decided way,
" Let him come ; I '11 take care of him."
" If Franz was going I would n't mind, for he is
very careful ; but he is haying with the father, and I 'm
not sure about the rest of you," began Mrs. Bhaer.
" It 's so far," put in Jack.
" I 'd carry him if I was going wish I was," said
Dan, with a sigh.
Huckleberries 195
" Thank you, dear, but you must take care of your
foot. I wish I could go. Stop a minute, I think I
can manage it after all ; " and Mrs. Bhaer ran out to
the steps, waving her apron wildly.
Silas was just driving away in the hay-cart, but
turned back, and agreed at once, when Mrs. Jo pro-
posed that he should take the whole party to the
pasture, and go for them at five o'clock.
" It will delay your work a little, but never mind ;
we will pay you in huckleberry pies," said Mrs. Jo,
knowing Silas's weak point.
His rough, brown face brightened up, and he said,
with a cheery " Haw ! haw ! " " Wai now, Mis'
Bhaer, if you go to bribin' of me, I shall give in right
away."
" Now, boys, I have arranged it so that you can all
go," said Mrs. Bhaer, running back again, much re-
lieved, for she loved to make them happy, and always
felt miserable when she had disturbed the serenity of
her little sons ; for she believed that the small hopes
and plans and pleasures of children should be ten-
derly respected by grown-up people, and never
rudely thwarted or ridiculed.
" Can I go? " said Dan, delighted.
" I thought especially of you. Be careful, and
never mind the berries, but sit about and enjoy the
lovely things which you know how to find all about
you," answered Mrs. Bhaer, who remembered his
kind offer to her boy.
" Me too ! me too ! " sung Rob, dancing with joy,
and clapping his precious pail and cover like
castanets.
" Yes, and Daisy and Nan must take good care of
Little Men
you. Be at the bars at five o'clock, and Silas will
come for you all."
Robby cast himself upon his mother in a burst of
gratitude, promising to bring her every berry he
picked, and not eat one. Then they were all packed
into the hay-cart, and went rattling away, the
brightest face among the dozen being that of Rob, as
he sat between his two temporary little mothers,
beaming upon the whole world, and waving his best
hat; for his indulgent mamma had not the heart to
bereave him of it, since this was a gala-day to
him.
Such a happy afternoon as they had, in spite of the
mishaps which usually occur on such expeditions !
Of course Tommy came to grief, tumbled upon a
hornets' nest and got stung; but being used to woe,
he bore the smart manfully, till Dan suggested the
application of damp earth, which much assuaged the
pain. Daisy saw a snake, and in flying from it lost
half her berries ; but Demi helped her to fill up
again, and discussed reptiles most learnedly the
while. Ned fell out of a tree, and split his jacket
down the back, but suffered no other fracture. Emil
and Jack established rival claims to a certain thick
patch, and while they were squabbling about it, Stuffy
quickly and quietly stripped the bushes and fled to
the protection of Dan, who was enjoying himself im-
mensely. The crutch was no longer necessary, and
he was delighted to see how strong his foot felt as he
roamed about the great pasture, full of interesting
rocks and stumps, with familiar little creatures in the
grass, and well-known insects dancing in the air.
But of all the adventures that happened on this
Huckleberries 197
afternoon that which befell Nan and Rob was the
most exciting, and it long remained one of the
favorite histories of the household. Having explored
the country pretty generally, torn three rents in her
frock, and scratched her face in a barberry-bush,
Nan began to pick the berries that shone like big,
black beads on the low, green bushes. Her nimble
fingers flew, but still her basket did not fill up as
rapidly as she desired, so she kept wandering here
and there to search for better places, instead of pick-
ing contentedly and steadily as Daisy did. Rob
followed Nan, for her energy suited him better than
his cousin's patience, and he too was anxious to have
the biggest and best berries for Marmar.
" I keep putting 'em in, but it don't fill up, and I 'm
so tired," said Rob, pausing a moment to rest his
short legs, and beginning to think huckleberrying
was not all his fancy painted it; for the sun blazed,
Nan skipped hither and thither like a grasshopper,
and the berries fell out of his pail almost as fast he
put them in, because, in his struggles with the bushes,
it was often upside-down.
" Last time we came they were ever so much
thicker over that wall- -great bouncers; and there is
a cave there, where the boys made a fire. Let 's go
and fill our things quick, and then hide in the cave
and let the others find us," proposed Nan, thirsting
for adventures.
Rob consented, and away they went, scrambling
over the wall and running down the sloping fields on
the other side, till they were hidden among the rocks
and underbrush. The berries were thick, and at last
the pails were actually full. It was shady and cool
ig8
Little Men
down there, and a little spring gave the thirsty chil-
dren a refreshing drink out of its mossy cup.
" Now we will go and rest in the cave, and eat our
lunch," said Nan, well satisfied with her success so
far.
u Do you know the way? " asked Rob.
" 'Course I do ; I Ve been once, and I always re-
member. Didn't I go and get my box all right?"
That convinced Rob, and he followed blindly as
Nan led him over stock and stone, and brought him,
after much meandering, to a small recess in the rock,
where the blackened stones showed that fires had
been made.
" Now, is n't it nice?" asked Nan, as she took out
a bit of bread-and-butter, rather damaged by being
mixed up with nails, fishhooks, stones and other
foreign substances, in the young lady's pocket.
" Yes ; do you think they will find us soon?" asked
Rob, who found the shadowy glen rather dull, and
began to long for more society.
" No, I don't; because if I hear them, I shall hide,
and have fun making them find me."
" P'raps they won't come."
Don't care ; I can get home myself."
Is it a great way?' asked Rob, looking at his
little, stubby boots, scratched and wet with his long
wandering.
" It's six miles, I guess." Nan's ideas of distance
were vague, and her faith in her own powers
great.
" I think we better go now," suggested Rob,
presently.
" I shan't go till I have picked over my berries;"
"
"
Huckleberries igg
and Nan began what seemed to Rob an endless
task.
" Oh, dear ! you said you 'd take good care of me,"
he sighed, as the sun seemed to drop behind the hill
all of a sudden.
" Well, I am taking care of you as hard as I can.
Don't be cross, child ; I '11 go in a minute," said Nan,
who considered five-year-old Robby a mere infant
compared to herself.
So little Rob sat looking anxiously about him, and
waiting patiently, for, spite of some misgivings, he
felt great confidence in Nan.
" I guess it 's going to be night pretty soon," he
observed, as if to himself, as a mosquito bit him, and
the frogs in a neighboring marsh began to pipe up
for the evening concert.
" My goodness me ! so it is. Come right away
this minute, or they will be gone," cried Nan, looking
up from her work, and suddenly perceiving that the
sun was down.
" I heard a horn about an hour ago ; may be they
were blowing for us," said Rob, trudging after his
guide as she scrambled up the steep hill.
" Where was it? " asked Nan, stopping short.
" Over that way ; ' he pointed with a dirty little
ringer in an entirely wrong direction.
" Let 's go that way and meet them ; ' and Nan
wheeled about, and began to trot through the bushes,
feeling a trifle anxious, for there were so many cow-
paths all about she could not remember which way
they came.
On they went over stock and stone again, pausing
now and then to listen for the horn, which did not
200 Little Men
blow any more, for it was only the moo of a cow on
her way home.
" I don't remember seeing that pile of stones do
you?' asked Nan, as she sat on a wall to rest a
moment and take an observation.
" I don't remember any thing, but I want to go
home," and Rob's voice had a little tremble in it that
made Nan put her arms round him and lift him gently
down, saying, in her most capable way,
" I 'm going just as fast as I can, dear. Don't cry,
and when we come to the road, I '11 carry you."
"Where is the road?" and Robby wiped his eyes
to look for it.
"Over by that big tree. Don't you know that's
the one Ned tumbled out of ? '
" So it is. May be they waited for us ; I 'd like to
ride home would n't you? " and Robby brightened
up as he plodded along toward the end of the great
pasture.
" No, I 'd rather walk," answered Nan, feeling quite
sure that she would be obliged to do so, and prepar-
ing her mind for it.
Another long trudge through the fast-deepening
twilight and another disappointment, for when they
reached the tree, they found to their dismay that it
was not the one Ned climbed, and no road anywhere
appeared.
"Are we lost? " quavered Rob, clasping his pail in
despair.
" Not much. I don't just see which way to go, and
I guess we 'd better call."
So they both shouted till they were hoarse, yet
nothing answered but the frogs in full chorus.
Huckleberries 201
" There is another tall tree over there, perhaps
that 's the one," said Nan, whose heart sunk within
her, though she still spoke bravely.
" I don't think I can go any more ; my boots are
so heavy I can't pull 'em ; ' and Robby sat down on a
stone quite worn out.
" Then we must stay here all night. / don't care
much, if snakes don't come."
" I 'm frightened of snakes. I can't stay all
night. Oh, dear ! I don't like to be lost," and Rob
puckered up his face to cry, when suddenly a thought
occurred to him, and he said, in a tone of perfect
confidence,
" Marmar will come and find me she always
does ; I ain't afraid now."
" She won't know where we are."
" She did n't know I was shut up in the ice-house,
but she found me. I know she '11 come," returned
Robby, so trustfully, that Nan felt relieved, and sat
down by him, saying, with a remorseful sigh,
" I wish we had n't run away."
"You made me; but I don't mind much Marmar
will love me just the same," answered Rob, clinging
to his sheet-anchor when all other hope was gone.
" I 'm so hungry. Let's eat our berries," proposed
Nan after a pause, during which Rob began to nod.
" So am I, but I can't eat mine, 'cause I told Mar-
mar I 'd keep them all for her."
" You '11 have to eat them if no one comes for us,"
said Nan, who felt like contradicting every thing just
then. " If we stay here a great many days, we shall
eat up all the berries in the field, and then we shall
starve," she added, grimly.
202 Little Men
" I shall eat sassafras. I know a big tree of it, and
Dan told me how squirrels dig up the roots and eat
them, and I love to dig," returned Rob, undaunted by
the prospect of starvation.
" Yes ; and we can catch frogs, and cook them.
My father ate some once, and he said they were nice,"
put in Nan, beginning to find a spice of romance even
in being lost in a huckleberry pasture.
" How could we cook frogs ? we have n't got any
fire."
" I don't know ; next time I '11 have matches in my
pocket," said Nan, rather depressed by this obstacle
to the experiment in frog-cookery.
"Could n't we light a fire with a fire-fly ?' asked
Rob, hopefully, as he watched them flitting to and
fro like winged sparks.
" Let's try; ' and several minutes were pleasantly
spent in catching the flies, and trying to make them
kindle a green twig or two. " It 's a lie to call them
fire-flies when there is n't a fire in them," Nan
said, throwing one unhappy insect away with scorn,
though it shone its best, and obligingly walked up
and down the twigs to please the innocent little
experimenters.
" Marmar 's a good while coming," said Rob, after
another pause, during which they watched the stars
overhead, smelt the sweet fern crushed under foot,
and listened to the crickets' serenade.
" I don't see why God made any night ; day is so
much pleasanter," said Nan, thoughtfully.
" It 's to sleep in," answered Rob, with a yawn.
" Then do go to sleep," said Nan, pettishly.
" I want my own bed. Oh, I wish I could see
Huckleberries 203
Teddy ! " cried Rob, painfully reminded of home by
the soft chirp of birds safe in their little nests.
" I don't believe your mother will ever find us,"
said Nan, who was becoming desperate, for she hated
patient waiting of any sort. " It 's so dark she won't
see us.'
" It was all black in the ice-house, and I was so
scared I did n't call her, but she saw me ; and she
will see me now, no matter how dark it is," returned
confiding Rob, standing up to peer into the gloom
for the help which never failed him.
" I see her ! I see her ! ' he cried, and ran as fast
as his tired legs would take him toward a dark figure
slowly approaching. Suddenly he stopped, then
turned about, and came stumbling back, screaming in
a great panic,
" No, it 's a bear, a big, black one ! ' and hid his
face in Nan's skirts.
For a moment Nan quailed ; even her courage
gave out at thought of a real bear, and she was
about to turn and flee in great disorder, when a mild
" Moo ! " changed her fear to merriment, as she said,
laughing, -
" It 's a cow, Robby ! the nice, black cow we saw
this afternoon."
The cow seemed to feel that it was not just the
thing to meet two little people in her pasture after
dark, and the amiable beast paused to inquire into
the case. She let them stroke her, and stood regard-
ing them with her soft eyes so mildly, that Nan, who
feared no animal but a bear, was fired with a desire
to milk her.
" Silas taught me how ; and berries and milk would
204 Little Men
be so nice," she said, emptying the contents of her
pail into her hat, and boldly beginning her new task,
while Rob stood by and repeated, at her command,
the poem from Mother Goose :
" Cushy cow, bonny, let down your milk,
Let down your milk to me,
And I will give you a gown of silk,
A gown of silk and a silver tee."
But the immortal rhyme had little effect, for the
benevolent cow had already been milked, and had
only half a gill to give the thirsty children.
" Shoo ! get away ! you are an old cross patch,"
cried Nan, ungratefully, as she gave up the attempt
in despair ; and poor Mooly walked on with a gentle
gurgle of surprise and reproof.
" Each can have a sip, and then we must take a
walk. We shall go to sleep if we don't; and lost
people must n't sleep. Don't you know how Hannah
Lee in the pretty story slept under the snow and
died?"
" But there is n't any snow now, and it 's nice and
warm," said Rob, who was not blessed with as lively
a fancy as Nan.
" No matter, we will poke about a little, and call
some more ; and then, if nobody comes, we will hide
under the bushes, like Hop-o'-my-thumb and his
brothers."
It was a very short walk, however, for Rob was so
sleepy he could not get on, and tumbled down so
often that Nan entirely lost patience, being half dis-
tracted by the responsibility she had taken upon
herself.
Huckleberries 205
" If you tumble down again, I '11 shake you," she
said, lifting the poor little man up very kindly as she
spoke, for Nan's bark was much worse than her bite.
" Please don't. It 's my boots - - they keep slip-
ping so;' and Rob manfully checked, the sob just
ready to break out, adding, with a plaintive patience
that touched Nan's heart, " If the skeeters did n't bite
me so, I could go to sleep till Marmar comes."
" Put your head on my lap, and I '11 cover you up
with my apron ; I 'm not afraid of the night," said
Nan, sitting down and trying to persuade herself that
she did not mind the shadow nor the mysterious rust-
lings all about her.
" Wake me up when she comes," said Rob, and
was fast asleep in five minutes with his head in Nan's
lap under the pinafore.
The little girl sat for some fifteen minutes, staring
about her with anxious eyes, and feeling as if each
second was an hour. Then a pale light began to
glimmer over the hill-top, and she said to herself
" I guess the night is over and morning is coming.
I 'd like to see the sun rise, so I '11 watch, and when it
comes up we can find our way right home."
But before the moon's round face peeped above
the hill to destroy her hope, Nan had fallen asleep,
leaning back in a little bower of tall ferns, and was
deep in a midsummer night's dream of fire-flies and
blue aprons, mountains of huckleberries, and Robby
wiping away the tears of a black cow, who sobbed,
" I want to go home ! I want to go home ! '
While the children were sleeping, peacefully lulled
by the drowsy hum of many neighborly mosquitoes,
the family at home were in a great state of agitation.
206 Little Men
The hay-cart came at five, and all but Jack, Emil,
Nan, and Rob were at the bars ready for it. Franz
drove instead of Silas, and when the boys told him
that the others were going home through the wood,
he said, looking ill-pleased, " They ought to have left
Rob to ride, he will be tired out by the long walk."
" It 's shorter that way, and they will carry him,"
said Stuffy, who was in a hurry for his supper.
" You are sure Nan and Rob went with them ? '
" Of course they did ; I saw them getting over the
wall, and sung out that it was most five, and Jack
called back that they were going the other way,"
explained Tommy.
" Very well, pile in then," and away rattled the hay-
cart with the tired children and the full pails.
Mrs. Jo looked sober when she heard of the divi-
sion of the party, and sent Franz back with Toby to
find and bring the little ones home. Supper was
over, and the family sitting about in the cool hall as
usual, when Franz came trotting back, hot, dusty, and
anxious.
''Have they come?" he called out when half-way
up the avenue.
" No ! " and Mrs. Jo flew out of her chair looking
so alarmed that every one jumped up and gathered
round Franz.
" I can't find them anywhere," he began ; but the
words were hardly spoken when a loud " Hullo ! '
startled them all, and the next minute Jack and Emil
came round the house.
" Where are Nan and Rob?" cried Mrs. Jo, clutch-
ing Emil in a way that caused him to think his aunt
had suddenly lost her wits.
Huckleberries 207
" I don't know. They came home with the others,
did n't they?' he answered, quickly.
" No ; George and Tommy said they went with
you."
" Well, they did n't. Have n't seen them. We
took a swim in the pond, and came by the wood,"
said Jack, looking alarmed, as well he might.
" Call Mr. Bhaer, get the lanterns, and tell Silas I
want him."
That was all Mrs. Jo said, but they knew what she
meant, and flew to obey orders. In ten minutes, Mr.
Bhaer and Silas were off to the wood, and Franz tear-
ing down the road on Old Andy to search the great
pasture. Mrs. Jo caught up some food from the table,
a little bottle of brandy from the medicine-closet,
took a lantern, and bidding Jack and Emil come with
her, and the rest not stir, she trotted away on Toby,
never stopping for hat or shawl. She heard some
one running after her, but said not a word till, as she
paused to call and listen, the light of her lantern shone
on Dan's face.
" You here ! I told Jack to come," she said, half-
inclined to send him back, much as she needed
help.
" I would n't let him ; he and Emil had n't had any
supper, and I wanted to come more than they did,"
he said, taking the lantern from her and smiling up
in her face with the steady look in his eyes that made
her feel as if, boy though he was, she had some one
to depend on.
Off she jumped, and ordered him on to Toby, in spite
of his pleading to walk ; then they went on again along
the dusty, solitary road, stopping every now and then
208 Little Men
to call and hearken breathlessly for little voices to
reply.
When they came to the great pasture, other lights
were already flitting to and fro like will-o'-the-wisps,
and Mr. Bhaer's voice was heard shouting, " Nan !
Rob ! Rob ! Nan ! ' in every part of the field. Silas
whistled and roared, Dan plunged here and there on
Toby, who seemed to understand the case, and went
over the roughest places with unusual docility. Often
Mrs. Jo hushed them all, saying, with a sob in her
throat, " The noise may frighten them, let me call ;
Robby will know my voice ; ' and then she would cry
out the beloved little name in every tone of tender-
ness, till the very echoes whispered it softly, and the
winds seemed to waft it willingly; but still no answer
came.
The sky was overcast now, and only brief glimpses
of the moon were seen, heat-lightning darted out of
the dark clouds now and then, and a faint far-off
rumble as of thunder told that a summer-storm was
brewing.
" O my Robby ! my Robby ! ' mourned poor Mrs.
Jo, wandering up and down like a pale ghost, while
Dan kept beside her like a faithful fire-fly. " What
shall I say to Nan's father if she comes to harm ? Why
did I ever trust my darling so far away? Fritz, do
you hear any thing? ' And when a mournful " No '
came back, she wrung her hands so despairingly, that
Dan sprung down from Toby's back, tied the bridle
to the bars, and said, in his decided way, -
" They may have gone down to the spring I 'm
going to look."
He was over the wall and away so fast that she
Huckleberries 209
could hardly follow him ; but when she reached the
spot, he lowered the lantern and showed her with joy
the marks of little feet in the soft ground about the
spring. She fell down on her knees to examine the
tracks, and then sprung up, saying eagerly,
" Yes ; that is the mark of my Robby's little boots !
Come this way, they must have gone on."
Such a weary search ! But now some inexplicable
instinct seemed to lead the anxious mother, for pres-
ently Dan uttered a cry, and caught up a little shin-
ing object lying in the path. It was the cover of the
new tin pail, dropped in the first alarm of being lost.
Mrs. Jo hugged and kissed it as if it were a living
thing ; and when Dan was about to utter a glad shout
to bring the others to the spot, she stopped him, say-
ing, as she hurried on, " No, let me find them ; I let
Rob go, and I want to give him back to his father all
myself."
A little farther on Nan's hat appeared, and after
passing the place more than once, they came at last
upon the babes in the wood, both sound asleep. Dan
never forgot the little picture on which the light of
his lantern shone that night. He thought Mrs. Jo
would cry out, but she only whispered " Hush ! ' as
she softly lifted away the apron, and saw the little
ruddy face below. The berry-stained lips were half-
open as the breath came and went, the yellow hair
lay damp on the hot forehead, and both the chubby
hands held fast the little pail still full.
The sight of the childish harvest, treasured through
all the troubles of that night for her, seemed to touch
Mrs. Jo to the heart, for suddenly she gathered up
her boy, and began to cry over him, so tenderly, yet
14
2 io Little Men
so heartily, that he woke .up, and at first seemed be-
wildered. Then he remembered, and hugged her
close, saying with a laugh of triumph, -
" I knew you 'd come ! O Marmar ! I did want you
so ! ' For a moment they kissed and clung to one an-
other, quite forgetting all the world ; for no matter how
lost and soiled and worn-out wandering sons may be,
mothers can forgive and forget every thing as they
fold them in their fostering arms. Happy the son
whose faith in his mother remains unchanged, and
who, through all his wanderings, has kept some filial
token to repay her brave and tender love.
Dan meantime picked Nan out of her bush, and,
with a gentleness none but Teddy ever saw in him be-
fore, he soothed her first alarm at the sudden waking,
and wiped away her tears ; for Nan also began to cry
for joy, it was so good to see a kind face and feel a
strong arm round her after what seemed to her ages
of loneliness and fear.
" My poor little girl, don't cry ! You are all safe
now, and no one shall say a word of blame to-night,"
said Mrs. Jo, taking Nan into her capacious embrace,
and cuddling both children as a hen might gather her
lost chickens under her motherly wings.
" It was my fault; but I am sorry. I tried to take
care of him, and I covered him up and let him sleep,
and did n't touch his berries, though I was so hungry ;
and I never will do it again truly never, never,"
sobbed Nan, quite lost in a sea of penitence and thank-
fulness.
" Call them now, and let us get home," said Mrs.
Jo ; and Dan, getting upon the wall, sent the joyful
word " Found ! ' ringing over the field.
Huckleberries
211
How the wandering lights came dancing from all
sides, and gathered round the little group among the
sweet fern bushes ! Such a hugging, and kissing, and
talking, and crying, as went on must have amazed the
glowworms, and evidently delighted the mosquitoes,
for they hummed frantically, while the little moths
came in flocks to the party, and the frogs croaked as
if they could not express their satisfaction loudly
enough.
Then they set out for home, a queer party, for
Franz rode on to tell the news ; Dan and Toby led
the way ; then came Nan in the strong arms of Silas,
who considered her " the smartest little baggage he
ever saw," and teased her all the way home about
her pranks. Mr. Bhaer would let no one carry Rob
but himself, and the little fellow, refreshed by sleep,
sat up, and chattered gayly, feeling himself a hero,
while his mother went beside him holding on to any
part of his precious little body that came handy, and
never tired of hearing him say, " I knew Marmar
would come," or seeing him lean down to kiss her,
and put a plump berry into her mouth, " 'Cause he
picked 'em all for her."
The moon shone out just as they reached the
avenue, and all the boys came shouting to meet them,
so the lost lambs were borne in triumph and safety,
and landed in the dining-room, where the unromantic
little things demanded supper instead of preferring
kisses and caresses. They were set down to bread
and milk, while the entire household stood round to
gaze upon them. Nan soon recovered her spirits,
and recounted her perils with a relish now that they
were all over. Rob seemed absorbed in his food,
212 Little Men
but put down his spoon all of a sudden, and set up a
doleful roar.
" My precious, why do you cry?' asked his
mother, who still hung over him.
" I 'm crying 'cause I was lost," bawled Rob, trying
to squeeze out a tear, and failing entirely.
" But you are found now. Nan says you did n't
cry out in the field, and I was glad you were such a
brave boy."
" I was so busy being frightened I did n't have any
time then. But I want to cry now, 'cause I don't like
to be lost," explained Rob, struggling with sleep,
emotion, and a mouthful of bread and milk.
The boys set up such a laugh at this funny way of
making up for lost time, that Rob stopped to look at
them, and the merriment was so infectious, that after
a surprised stare he burst out into a merry " Ha, ha ! '
and beat his spoon upon the table as if he enjoyed
the joke immensely.
"It is ten o'clock; into bed, every man of you,"
said Mr. Bhaer, looking at his watch.
" And, thank Heaven ! there will be no empty ones
to-night," added Mrs. Bhaer, watching, with full eyes,
Robby going up in his father's arms, and Nan escorted
by Daisy and Demi, who considered her the most
interesting heroine of their collection.
" Poor Aunt Jo is so tired she ought to be carried
up herself," said gentle Franz, putting his arm round
her as she paused at the stair-foot, looking quite ex-
hausted by her fright and long walk.
" Let's make an arm-chair," proposed Tommy.
" No, thank you, my lads ; but somebody may lend
me a shoulder to lean on," answered Mrs. Jo.
Huckleberries 213
" Me ! me ! " and half-a-dozen jostled one another,
all eager to be chosen, for there was something in the
pale motherly face that touched the warm hearts
under the round jackets.
Seeing that they considered it an honor, Mrs. Jo
gave it to the one who had earned it, and nobody
grumbled when she put her arm on Dan's broad
shoulder, saying, with a look that made him color up
with pride and pleasure,
" He found the children ; so I think he must help
me up."
Dan felt richly rewarded for his evening's work,
not only that he was chosen from all the rest to go
proudly up bearing the lamp, but because Mrs. Jo
said, heartily, " Good-night, my boy ! God bless you ! '
as he left her at her door.
" I wish I was your boy," said Dan, who felt as if
danger and trouble had somehow brought him nearer
than ever to her.
" You shall be my oldest son," and she sealed her
promise with a kiss that made Dan hers entirely.
Little Rob was all right next day, but Nan had a
headache, and lay on Mother Bhaer's sofa with cold-
cream upon her scratched face. Her remorse was
quite gone, and she evidently thought being lost
rather a fine amusement. Mrs. Jo was not pleased
with this state of things, and had no desire to have
her children led from the paths of virtue, or her
pupils lying round loose in huckleberry fields. So
she talked soberly to Nan, and tried to impress upon
her mind the difference between liberty and license,
telling several tales to enforce her lecture. She had
not decided how to punish Nan, but one of these
214 Little Men
stories suggested a way, and as Mrs. Jo liked odd
penalties she tried it.
" All children run away," pleaded Nan, as if it was
as natural and necessary a thing as measles or hoop-
ing cough.
" Not all, and some who do run away don't get
found again," answered Mrs. Jo.
" Did n't you do it yourself ? ' asked Nan, whose
keen little eyes saw some traces of a kindred spirit in
the serious lady who was sewing so morally before
her.
Mrs. Jo laughed, and owned that she did.
" Tell about it," demanded Nan, feeling that she
was getting the upper hand in the discussion.
Mrs. Jo saw that, and sobered down at once, say-
ing, with a remorseful shake of the head,
" I did it a good many times, and led my poor
mother rather a hard life with my pranks, till she
cured me."
"How?' and Nan sat up with a face full of
interest.
" I had a new pair of shoes once, and wanted to
show them ; so, though I was told not to leave the
garden, I ran away and was wandering about all day.
It was in the city, and why I was n't killed I don't
know. Such a time as I had. I frolicked in the
park with dogs, sailed boats in the Back Bay with
strange boys, dined with a little Irish beggar-girl on
salt fish and potatoes, and was found at last fast
asleep on a door-step with my arms round a great
dog. It was late in the evening, and I was as dirty
as a little pig, and the new shoes were worn out I
had travelled so far."
Huckleberries 215
" How nice ! ' cried Nan, looking all ready to go
and do it herself.
" It was not nice next day; " and Mrs. Jo tried to
keep her eyes from betraying how much she enjoyed
the memory of her early capers.
"Did your mother whip you?' asked Nan,
curiously.
" She never whipped me but once, and then she
begged my pardon, or I don't think I ever should
have forgiven her, it hurt my feelings so much."
"Why did she beg your pardon? my father
don't."
" Because, when she had done it, I turned round
and said, ' Well, you are mad yourself, and ought to
be whipped as much as me.' She looked at me a
minute, then her anger all died out, and she said, as
if ashamed, ' You are right, Jo, / am angry; and why
should I punish you for being in a passion when I set
you such a bad example? Forgive me, dear, and let
us try to help one another in a better way.' I never
forgot it, and it did me more good than a dozen
rods."
Nan sat thoughtfully turning the little cold-cream
jar for a minute, and Mrs. Jo said nothing, but let
that idea get well into the busy little mind that
was so quick to see and feel what went on about
her.
" I like that," said Nan, presently, and her face
looked less elfish, with its sharp eyes, inquisitive nose,
and mischievous mouth. " What did your mother
do to you when you ran away that time ? '
" She tied me up to the bed-post with a long string,
so that I could not go out of the room, and there I
216 Little Men
stayed all day with the little worn-out shoes hanging
up before me to remind me of my fault."
" I should think that would cure anybody," cried
Nan, who loved her liberty above all things.
" It did cure me, and I think it will you, so I am
going to try it," said Mrs. Jo, suddenly taking a ball
of strong twine out of a drawer in her work-table.
Nan looked as if she was decidedly getting the
worst of the argument now, and sat feeling much
crestfallen while Mrs. Jo tied one end round her
waist and the other to the arm of the sofa, saying, as
she finished,
" I don't like to tie you up like a naughty little
dog, but if you don't remember any better than a
dog, I must treat you like one."
" I 'd just as lief be tied up as not I like to play
dog; " and Nan put on a don't-care face, and began
to growl and grovel on the floor.
Mrs. Jo took no notice, but leaving a book or two
and a handkerchief to hem, she went away, and left
Miss Nan to her own devices. This was not agree-
able, and after sitting a moment she tried to untie the
cord. But it was fastened in the belt of her apron
behind, so she began on the knot at the other end.
It soon came loose, and, gathering it up, Nan was about
to get out of the window, when she heard Mrs. Jo say
to somebody as she passed through the hall,
" No, I don't think she will run away now; she is
an honorable little girl, and knows that I do it to
help her."
In a minute Nan whisked back, tied herself up, and
began to sew violently. Rob came in a moment
after, and was so charmed with the new punishment,
Huckleberries 217
that he got a jump-rope and tethered himself to the
other arm of the sofa in the most social manner.
" I got lost too, so I ought to be tied up as much
as Nan," he explained to his mother when she saw the
new captive.
" I 'm not sure that you don't deserve a little pun^
ishment, for you knew it was wrong to go far away
from the rest."
" Nan took me," began Rob, willing to enjoy
the novel penalty, but not willing to take the
blame.
You need n't have gone. You have got a con-
science, though you are a little boy, and you must
learn to mind it."
" Well, my conscience did n't prick me a bit when
she said 'Let's get over the wall,' answered Rob,
quoting one of Demi's expressions.
" Did you stop to see if it did ? '
"No."
" Then you cannot tell."
" I guess it 's such a little conscience that it don't
prick hard enough for me to feel it," added Rob,
after thinking over the matter for a minute.
" We must sharpen it up. It 's bad to have a dull
conscience ; so you may stay here till dinner-time,
and talk about it with Nan. I trust you both not to
untie yourselves till I say the word."
' No, we won't," said both, feeling a certain sense
of virtue in helping to punish themselves.
For an hour they were very good, then they grew
tired of one room, and longed to get out. Never had
the hall seemed so inviting; even the little bedroom
acquired a sudden interest, and they would gladly
218 Little Men
have gone in and played tent with the curtains of the
best bed. The open windows drove them wild because
they could not reach them ; and the outer world
seemed so beautiful, they wondered how they ever
found the heart to say it was dull. Nan pined for a
race round the lawn, and Rob remembered with
dismay that he had not fed his dog that morning, and
wondered what poor Pollux would do. They watched
the clock, and Nan did some nice calculations in
minutes and seconds, while Rob learned to tell all
the hours between eight and one so well that he
never forgot them. It was maddening to smell the
dinner, to know that there was to be succotash and
huckleberry pudding, and to feel that they would not
be on the spot to secure good helps of both. When
Mary Ann began to set the table, they nearly cut
themselves in two trying to see what meat there was
to be ; and Nan offered to help her make the beds,
if she would only see that she had " lots of sauce on
her pudding."
When the boys came bursting out of school, they
found the children tugging at their halters like a pair
of restive little colts, and were much edified, as well as
amused, by the sequel to the exciting adventures of
the night.
" Untie me now, Marmar ; my conscience will prick
like a pin next time, I know it will," said Rob, as the
bell rang, and Teddy came to look at him with
sorrowful surprise.
" We shall see," answered his mother, setting him
free. He took a good run down the hall, back
through the dining-room, and brought up beside
Nan, quite beaming with virtuous satisfaction.
Huckleberries 219
"I'll bring her dinner to her, may I?' he asked,
pitying his fellow-captive.
" That 's my kind little son ! Yes, pull out the
table, and get a chair; " and Mrs. Jo -hurried away to
quell the ardor of the others, who were always in a
raging state of hunger at noon.
Nan ate alone, and spent a long afternoon attached
to the sofa. Mrs. Bhaer lengthened her bonds so that
she could look out of the window ; and there she stood
watching the boys play, and all the little summer
creatures enjoying their liberty. Daisy had a picnic
for the dolls on the lawn, so that Nan might see the
fun if she could not join in it. Tommy turned his
best somersaults to console her ; Demi sat on the
steps reading aloud to himself, which amused Nan a
good deal ; and Dan brought a little tree-toad to
show her as the most delicate attention in his
power.
But nothing atoned for the loss of freedom; and a
few hours of confinement taught Nan how precious it
was. A good many thoughts went through the little
head that lay on the window-sill during the last quiet
hour when all the children went to the brook to see
Emil's new ship launched. She was to have chris-
tened it, and had depended on smashing a tiny bottle
of currant-wine over the prow as it was named Jose-
phine in honor of Mrs. Bhaer. Now she had lost her
chance, and Daisy would n't do it half so well.
Tears rose to her eyes as she remembered that it was
all her own fault; and she said aloud, addressing a
fat bee who was rolling about in the yellow heart of a
rose just under the window,
" If you have run away, you 'd better go right home,
22O Little Men
and tell your mother you are sorry, and never do so any
more.'
. .
I am glad to hear you give him such good advice,
and I think he has taken it," said Mrs. Jo, smiling, as
the bee spread his dusty wings and flew away.
Nan brushed off a bright drop or two that shone
on the window-sill, and nestled against her friend as
she took her on her knee, adding kindly for she had
seen the little drops, and knew what they meant
" Do you think my mother's cure for running away
a good one? '
" Yes, ma'am," answered Nan, quite subdued by
her quiet day.
" I hope I shall not have to try it again."
" I guess not; ' and Nan looked up with such an
earnest little face that Mrs. Jo felt satisfied, and said
no more, for she liked to have her penalties do their
own work, and did not spoil the effect by too much
moralizing.
Here Rob appeared, bearing with infinite care what
Asia called a " sarcer pie," meaning one baked in a
saucer.
" It's made out of some of my berries, and I 'm go-
ing to give you half at supper-time," he announced
with a flourish.
" What makes you, when I 'm so naughty? " asked
Nan, meekly.
" Because we got lost together. You ain't going to
be naughty again, are you ? '
" Never," said Nan, with great decision.
" Oh, goody ! now let 's go and get Mary Ann to
cut this for us all ready to eat ; it 's 'most tea-time ; '
and Rob beckoned with the delicious little pie.
Huckleberries 221
Nan started to follow, then stopped, and said,
" I forgot, I can't go."
" Try and see," said Mrs. Bhaer, who had quietly
untied the cord sash while she had been talking.
Nan saw that she was free, and with one tempestu-
ous kiss to Mrs. Jo, she was off like a humming-bird,
followed by Robby, dribbling huckleberry juice as he
ran.
CHAPTER XIII
GOLDILOCKS
AFTER the last excitement peace descended
upon Plumfield and reigned unbroken for
several weeks, for the elder boys felt that the
loss of Nan and Rob lay at their door, and all became so
paternal in their care that they were rather wearying ;
while the little ones listened to Nan's recital of her
perils so many times, that they regarded being lost
as the greatest ill humanity was heir to, and hardly
dared to put their little noses outside the great gate
lest night should suddenly descend upon them, and
ghostly black cows come looming through the dusk.
" It is too good to last," said Mrs. Jo ; for years of
boy-culture had taught her that such lulls were usually
followed by outbreaks of some sort, and when less
wise women would have thought that the boys had
become confirmed saints, she prepared herself for a
sudden eruption of the domestic volcano.
One cause of this welcome calm was a visit from
little Bess, whose parents lent her for a week while
they were away with Grandpa Laurence, who was
poorly. The boys regarded Goldilocks as a mixture
of child, angel, and fairy, for she was a lovely little
creature, and the golden hair which she inherited
from her blonde mamma enveloped her like a shining
Goldilocks 223
veil, behind which she smiled upon her worshippers
when gracious, and hid herself when offended. Her
father would not have it cut and it hung below her
waist, so soft and fine and bright, that Demi insisted
that it was silk spun from a cocoon. Every one
praised the little Princess, but it did not seem to do
her harm, only to teach her that her presence
brought sunshine, her smiles made answering smiles
on other faces, and her baby griefs filled every heart
with tenderest sympathy.
Unconsciously she did her young subjects more
good than many a real sovereign, for her rule was
very gentle and her power was felt rather than seen.
Her natural refinement made her dainty in all things,
and had a good effect upon the careless lads about
her. She would let no one touch her roughly or with
unclean hands, and more soap was used during her
visits than at any other time, because the boys con-
sidered it the highest honor to be allowed to carry
her highness, and the deepest disgrace to be re-
pulsed with the disdainful command, " Do away,
dirty boy! "
Loud voices displeased her and quarrelling fright-
ened her ; so gentler tones came into the boyish
voices as they addressed her, and squabbles were
promptly suppressed in her presence by lookers-on if
the principals could not restrain themselves. She
liked to be waited on, and the biggest boys did her
little errands without a murmur, while the small lads
were her devoted slaves in all things. They be^cred
o y o o
to be allowed to draw her carriage, bear her berry-
basket, or pass her plate at table. No service was too
humble, and Tommy and Ned came to blows before
224 Little Men
they could decide which should have the honor of
blacking her little boots.
Nan was especially benefited by a week in the
society of a well-bred lady, though such a very small
one ; for Bess would look at her with a mixture of
wonder and alarm in her great blue eyes when the
hoyden screamed and romped ; and she shrunk from
her as if she thought her a sort of wild animal.
Warm-hearted Nan felt this very much. She said at
first, " Pooh ! I don't care ! ' But she did care, and
was so hurt when Bess said, " I love my tuzzin best,
tause she is twiet," that she shook poor Daisy till her
teeth chattered in her head, and then fled to the barn
to cry dismally. In that general refuge for perturbed
spirits she found comfort and good counsel from some
source or other. Perhaps the swallows from their
mud-built nests overhead twittered her a little lecture
on the beauty of gentleness. However that might
have been, she came out quite subdued, and carefully
searched the orchard for a certain kind of early apple
that Bess liked because it was sweet and small and
rosy. Armed with this peace-offering, she ap-
proached the Princess, and humbly presented it.
To her great joy it was graciously accepted, and
when Daisy gave Nan a forgiving kiss, Bess did like-
wise, as if she felt that she had been too severe, and
desired to apologize. After this they played pleas-
antly together, and Nan enjoyed the royal favor for
days. To be sure she felt a little like a wild bird in
a pretty cage at first, and occasionally had to slip
out to stretch her wings in a long flight, or to sing at
the top of her voice, where neither would disturb the
plump turtle-dove Daisy, nor the dainty golden canary
Goldilocks 225
Bess. But it did her good ; for, seeing how every one
loved the little Princess for her small graces and vir-
tues, she began to imitate her, because Nan wanted
much love, and tried hard to win it.
Not a boy in the house but felt the pretty child's in-
fluence, and was improved by it without exactly know-
ing how or why, for babies can work miracles in the
hearts that love them. Poor Billy found infinite satis-
faction in staring at her, and though she did not like
it she permitted it without a frown, after she had been
made to understand that he was not quite like the
others, and on that account must be more kindly
treated. Dick and Dolly overwhelmed her with wil-
low whistles, the only thing they knew how to make,
and she accepted but never used them. Rob served
her like a little lover, and Teddy followed her like a
pet dog. Jack she did not like, because he was afflicted
with warts and had a harsh voice. Stuffy displeased
her because he did not eat tidily, and George tried
hard not to gobble, that he might not disgust the
dainty little lady opposite. Ned was banished from
court in utter disgrace when he was discovered tor-
menting some unhappy field-mice. Goldilocks never
could forget the sad spectacle, and retired behind her
veil when he approached, waving him away with an
imperious little hand, and crying, in a tone of mingled
grief and anger, -
" No, I tarn't love him ; he tut the poor mouses'
little tails off, and they queeked ! '
Daisy promptly abdicated when Bess came, and
took the humble post of chief cook, while Nan was
first maid of honor; Emil was chancellor of the ex-
chequer, and spent the public moneys lavishly in get;-
'5
226 Little Men
ting up spectacles that cost whole ninepences. Franz
was prime minister, and directed her affairs of state,
planned royal progresses through the kingdom, and
kept foreign powers in order. Demi was her philos-
opher, and fared much better than such gentlemen
usually do among crowned heads. Dan was her
standing army, and defended her territories gallantly ;
Tommy was court fool, and Nat a tuneful Rizzio to
this innocent little Mary.
Uncle Fritz and Aunt Jo enjoyed this peaceful epi-
sode, and looked on at the pretty play in which the
young folk unconsciously imitated their elders, with-
out adding the tragedy that is so apt to spoil the
dramas acted on the larger stage.
" They teach us quite as much as we teach them,"
said Mr. Bhaer.
" Bless the dears ! they never guess how many hints
they give us as to the best way of managing them,"
answered Mrs. Jo.
" I think you were right about the good effect of
having girls among the boys. Nan has stirred up
Daisy, and Bess is teaching the little bears how to
behave better than we can. If this reformation goes
on as it has begun, I shall soon feel like Dr. Blimber
with his model young gentlemen," said Professor,
laughing, as he saw Tommy not only remove his own
hat, but knock off Ned's also, as they entered the hall
where the Princess was taking a ride on the rocking-
horse, attended by Rob and Teddy astride of chairs,
and playing gallant knights to the best of their ability.
"You will never be a Blimber, Fritz, you couldn't
do it if you tried; and our boys will never submit to
the forcing process of that famous hot-bed. No fear
Goldilocks 227
that they will be too elegant : American boys like lib-
erty too well. But good manners they cannot fail to
have, if we give them the kindly spirit that shines
through the simplest demeanor, making it courteous
and cordial, like yours, my dear old boy."
"Tut! tut! we will not compliment; for if I begin
you will run away, and I have a wish to enjoy this
happy half hour to the end ; ' yet Mr. Bhaer looked
pleased with the compliment, for it was true, and Mrs.
Jo felt that she had received the best her husband
could give her, by saying that he found his truest rest
and happiness in her society.
" To return to the children : I have just had another
proof of Goldilocks' good influence," said Mrs. Jo,
drawing her chair nearer the sofa, where the Profes-
sor lay resting after a long day's work in his various
gardens. " Nan hates sewing, but for love of Bess
has been toiling half the afternoon over a remarkable
bag in which to present a dozen of our love-apples to
her idol when she goes. I praised her for it, and she
said, in her quick way, ' I like to sew for other people ;
it is stupid sewing for myself.' I took the hint, and
shall give her some little shirts and aprons for Mrs.
Carney's children. She is so generous, she will sew
her fingers sore for them, and I shall not have to make
a task of it."
" But needlework is not a fashionable accomplish-
ment, my dear."
" Sorry for it. My girls shall learn all I can teach
them about it, even if they give up the Latin, Algebra,
and half-a-dozen ologies it is considered necessary for
girls to muddle their poor brains over now-a-days.
Amy means to make Bess an accomplished woman ;
228 Little Men
but the dear's mite of a forefinger has little pricks on
it already, and her mother has several specimens of
needlework which she values more than the clay bird
without a bill, that filled Laurie with such pride when
Bess made it."
" I also have a proof of the Princess's power," said
Mr. Bhaer, after he had watched Mrs. Jo sew on a
button with an air of scorn for the whole system of
fashionable education. "Jack is so unwilling to be
classed with Stuffy and Ned, as distasteful to Bess,
that he came to me a little while ago, and asked me
to touch his warts with caustic. I have often pro-
posed it, and he never would consent; but now he
bore the smart manfully, and consoles his present
discomfort by hopes of future favor, when he can
show her fastidious ladyship a smooth hand."
Mrs. Bhaer laughed at the story, and just then
Stuffy came in to ask if he might give Goldilocks
some of the bonbons his mother had sent him.
" She is not allowed to eat sweeties ; but if you
like to give her the pretty box with the pink sugar-
rose in it, she would like it very much," said Mrs.
Jo, unwilling to spoil this unusual piece of self-denial,
for the " fat boy " seldom offered to share his sugar-
plums.
"Won't she eat it? I should n't like to make her
sick," said Stuffy, eying the delicate sweetmeat
lovingly, yet putting it into the box.
" Oh, no, she won't touch it, if I tell her it is to
look at, not to eat. She will keep it for weeks, and
never think of tasting it. Can you do as much? "
4< I should hope so ! I 'm ever so much older than
she is," cried Stuffy, indignantly,
Goldilocks 229
"Well, suppose we try. Here, put your bonbons
in this bag, and see how long you can keep them.
Let me count two hearts, four red fishes, three
barley-sugar horses, nine almonds, and a dozen
chocolate drops. Do you agree to that?" asked sly
Mrs. Jo, popping the sweeties into her little spool-
bag.
" Yes," said Stuffy, with a sigh ; and pocketing the
forbidden fruit, he went away to give Bess the present,
that won a smile from her, and permission to escort
her round the garden.
" Poor Stuffy's heart has really got the better of
his stomach at last, and his efforts will be much en-
couraged by the rewards Bess gives him," said Mrs.
Jo.
" Happy the man who can put temptation in his
pocket and learn self-denial from so sweet a little
teacher ! ' added Mr. Bhaer, as the children passed
the window, Stuffy's fat face full of placid satisfaction,
and Goldilocks surveying her sugar-rose with polite
interest, though she would have preferred a real
flower with a " pitty smell."
When her father came to take her home, a uni-
versal wail arose, and the parting gifts showered upon
her increased her luggage to such an extent that Mr.
Laurie proposed having out the big wagon to take it
into town. Every one had given her something ; and
it was found difficult to pack white mice, cake, a par-
cel of shells, apples, a rabbit kicking violently in a
bag, a large cabbage for his refreshment, a bottle of
minnows, and a mammoth bouquet. The farewell
scene was moving, for the Princess sat upon the hall-
table, surrounded by her subjects. She kissed her
230 Little Men
cousins, and held out her hand to the other boys,
who shook it gently with various soft speeches, for
they were taught not to be ashamed of showing their
emotions.
" Come again soon, little dear," whispered Dan,
fastening his best green-and-gold beetle in her
hat.
" Don't forget me, Princess, whatever you do," said
the engaging Tommy, taking a last stroke of the
pretty hair.
" I am coming to your house next week, and then
I shall see you, Bess," added Nat, as if he found con-
solation in the thought.
" Do shake hands now," cried Jack, offering a
smooth paw.
" Here are two nice new ones to remember us by,"
said Dick and Dolly, presenting fresh whistles, quite
unconscious that seven old ones had been privately
deposited in the kitchen-stove.
" My little precious ! I shall work you a book-
mark right away, and you must keep it always" said
Nan, with a warm embrace.
But of all the farewells, poor Billy's was the most
pathetic, for the thought that she was really going be-
came so unbearable that he cast himself down before
her, hugging her little blue boots and blubbering de-
spairingly, " Don't go away ! oh, don't ! ' Goldilocks
was so touched by this burst of feeling, that she
leaned over and lifting the poor lad's head, said, in
her soft, little voice,
" Don't cry, poor Billy ! I will tiss you and turn
adain soon."
This promise consoled Billy, and he fell back beam-
Goldilocks 231
ing with pride at the unusual honor conferred upon
him.
" Me too ! me too ! " clamored Dick and Dolly, feel-
ing that their devotion deserved some return. The
others looked as if they would like to join in the cry ;
and something in the kind, merry faces about her
moved the Princess to stretch out her arms and say,
with reckless condescension, -
" I will tiss evvybody ! '
Like a swarm of bees about a very sweet flower,
the affectionate lads surrounded their pretty playmate,
and kissed her till she looked like a little rose, not
roughly, but so enthusiastically that nothing but the
crown of her hat was visible for a moment. Then
her father rescued her, and she drove away still smil-
ing and waving her hands, while the boys sat on the
fence screaming like a flock of guinea-fowls, " Come
back ! come back ! " till she was out of sight.
They all missed her, and each dimly felt that he
was better for having known a creature so lovely,
delicate, and sweet ; for little Bess appealed to the
chivalrous instinct in them as something to love,
admire, and protect with a tender sort of rever-
ence. Many a man remembers some pretty child who
has made a place in his heart and kept her memory
alive by the simple magic of her innocence ; these
little men were just learning to feel this power, and
to love it for its gentle influence, not ashamed to let
the small hand lead them, nor to own their loyalty to
womankind, even in the bud.
CHAPTER XIV
DAMON AND PYTHIAS
MRS. BHAER was right; peace was only a
temporary lull, a storm was brewing, and
two days after Bess left, a moral earth-
quake shook Plumfield to its centre.
Tommy's hens were at the bottom of the trouble,
for if they had not persisted in laying so many eggs,
he could not have sold them and made such sums.
Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a use-
ful root that we cannot get on without it any more
than we can without potatoes. Tommy certainly
could not, for he spent his income so recklessly, that
Mr. Bhaer was obliged to insist on a savings-bank,
and presented him with a private one an imposing
tin edifice, with the name over the door, and a tall
chimney, down which the pennies were to go, there to
rattle temptingly till leave was given to open a sort of
trap-door in the floor.
The house increased in weight so rapidly, that
Tommy soon became satisfied with his investment,
and planned to buy unheard-of treasures with his
capital. He kept account of the sums deposited,
and was promised that he might break the bank as
soon as he had five dollars, on condition that he spent
the money wisely. Only one dollar was needed, and
the day Mrs. Jo paid him for four dozen eggs, he was
Damon and Pythias 233
so delighted, that he raced off to the barn to display
the bright quarters to Nat, who was also laying by
money for the long-desired violin.
" I wish I had 'em to put with my three dollars,
then I 'd soon get enough to buy my fiddle," he said,
looking wistfully at the money.
" P'raps I '11 lend you some. I have n't decided
yet what I '11 do with mine," said Tommy, tossing up
his quarters, and catching them as they fell.
" Hi ! boys ! come down to the brook and see what
a jolly great snake Dan 's got ! ' called a voice from
behind the barn.
" Come on," said Tommy; and, laying his money
inside the old winnowing machine, away he ran,
followed by Nat.
The snake was very interesting, and then a long
chase after a lame crow, and its capture, so absorbed
Tommy's mind and time, that he never thought of
his money till he was safely in bed that night.
" Never mind, no one but Nat knows where it is,"
said the easy-going .lad, and fell asleep untroubled by
any anxiety about his property.
Next morning, just as the boys assembled for
school, Tommy rushed into the room breathlessly,
demanding,
" I say, who has got my dollar? '
"What are you talking about?" asked Franz.
Tommy explained, and Nat corroborated his state-
ment.
Every one else declared they knew nothing about it,
and began to look suspiciously at Nat, who got more
and more alarmed and confused with each denial.
" Somebody must have taken it," said Franz, as
234 Little Men
Tommy shook his fist at the whole party, and wrath-
fully declared that
" By thunder turtles ! if I get hold of the thief, I '11
give him what he won't forget in a hurry."
" Keep cool, Tom ; we shall find him out ; thieves
always come to grief," said Dan, as one who knew
something of the matter.
" May be some tramp slept in the barn and took
it," suggested Ned.
"No, Silas don't allow that; besides, a tramp
would n't go looking in that old machine for money,"
said Emil, with scorn.
" Was n't it Silas himself ? " said Jack.
" Well, I like that ! Old Si is as honest as day-
light. You would n't catch him touching a penny of
ours," said Tommy, handsomely defending his chief
admirer from suspicion.
"Whoever it was had better tell, and not wait to
be found out," said Demi, looking as if an awful mis-
fortune had befallen the family.
" I know you think it 's me," broke out Nat, red
and excited.
" You are the only one who knew where it was,"
said Franz.
"I can't help it I didn't take it. I tell you I
did n't I did n't ! " cried Nat, in a desperate sort of
way.
" Gently, gently, my son ! What is all this noise
about?" and Mr. Bhaer walked in among them.
Tommy repeated the story of his loss, and, as he
listened, Mr. Bhaer's face grew graver and graver;
for, with all their faults and follies, the lads till now
had been honest.
Damon and Pythias 235
" Take your seats," he said ; and, when all were in
their places, he added slowly, as his eye went from
face to face with a grieved look, that was harder to
bear than a storm of words,
" Now, boys, I shall ask each one of you a single
question, and I want an honest answer. I am not
going to try to frighten, bribe, or surprise the truth
out of you, for every one of you have got a con-
science, and know what it is for. Now is the time to
undo the wrong done to Tommy, and to set your-
selves right before us all. I can forgive the yielding
to a sudden temptation much easier than I can
deceit. Don't add a lie to the theft, but confess
frankly, and we will all try to help you make us for-
get and forgive."
He paused a moment, and one might have heard a
pin drop, the room was so still ; then slowly and im-
pressively he put the question to each one, receiving
the same answer in varying tones from all. Every
face was flushed and excited, so that Mr. Bhaer could
not take color as a witness, and some of the little
boys were so frightened that they stammered over
the two short words as if guilty, though it was evi-
dent that they could not be. When he came to Nat,
his voice softened, for the poor lad looked so wretched,
Mr. Bhaer felt for him. He believed him to be the
culprit, and hoped to save the boy from another lie,
by winning him to tell the truth without fear.
" Now, my son, give me an honest answer. Did
you take the money?' 1
" No, sir ! " and Nat looked up at him imploringly.
As the words fell from his trembling lips, some-
body hissed.
236
Little Men
" Stop that ! ' cried Mr. Bhaer, with a sharp rap
on his desk, as he looked sternly toward the corner
whence the sound came.
Ned, Jack, and Emil sat there, and the first two
looked ashamed of themselves, but Emil called
out,
" It was n't me, uncle ! I 'd be ashamed to hit a
fellow when he is down."
" Good for you ! " cried Tommy, who was in a sad
state of affliction at the trouble his unlucky dollar had
made.
"Silence!" commanded Mr. Bhaer; and when it
came, he said soberly,
" I am very sorry, Nat, but evidences are against
you, and your old fault makes us more ready to
doubt you than we should be if we could trust you as
we do some of the boys, who never fib. But mind,
my child, I do not charge you with this theft ; I shall
not punish you for it till I am perfectly sure, nor ask
any thing more about it. I shall leave it for you to
settle with your own conscience. If you are guilty,
come to me at any hour of the day or night and con-
fess it, and I will forgive and help you to amend. If
you are innocent, the truth will appear sooner or
later, and the instant it does, I will be the first to
beg your pardon for doubting you, and will so gladly
do my best to clear your character before us all."
" I did n't ! I did n't ! " sobbed Nat, with his head
down upon his arms, for he could not bear the look of
distrust and dislike which he read in the many eyes
fixed on him.
" I hope not." Mr. Bhaer paused a minute, as if
to give the culprit, whoever he might be, one more
Damon and Pythias 237
chance. Nobody spoke, however, and only sniffs of
sympathy from some of the little fellows broke the
silence. Mr. Bhaer shook his head, and added,
regretfully, -
" There is nothing more to be done, then, and I
have but one thing to say : I shall not speak of this
again, and I wish you all to follow my example. I
cannot expect you to feel as kindly toward any one
whom you suspect as before this happened, but I do
expect and desire that you will not torment the
suspected person in any way,- -he will have a
hard enough time without that. Now go to your
lessons."
" Father Bhaer let Nat off too easy," muttered Ned
to Emil, as they got out their books.
" Hold your tongue," growled Emil, who felt that
this event was a blot upon the family honor.
Many of the boys agreed with Ned, but Mr. Bhaer
was right, nevertheless ; and Nat would have been
wiser to confess on the spot and have the trouble
over, for even the hardest whipping he ever received
from his father was far easier to bear than the cold
looks, the avoidance, and general suspicion that met
him on all sides. If ever a boy was sent to Coventry
and kept there, it was poor Nat; and he suffered a
week of slow torture, though not a hand was raised
against him, and hardly a word said.
That was the worst of it ; if they would only have
talked it out, or even have thrashed him all round, he
could have stood it better than the silent distrust that
made every face so terrible to meet. Even Mrs.
Bhaer's showed traces of it, though her manner was
nearly as kind as ever; but the sorrowful anxious
2 3 8
Little Men
look in Father Bhaer's eyes cut Nat to the heart, for
he loved his teacher dearly, and knew that he had
disappointed all his hopes by this double sin.
Only one person in the house entirely believed in
him, and stood up for him stoutly against all the rest.
This was Daisy. She could not explain why she
trusted him against all appearances, she only felt that
she could not doubt him, and her warm sympathy
made her strong to take his part. She would not
hear a word against him from any one, and actually
slapped her beloved Demi when he tried to convince
her that it must have been Nat, because no one else
knew where the money was.
" May be the hens ate it ; they are greedy old
things," she said ; and when Demi laughed, she lost
her temper, slapped the amazed boy, and then burst
out crying and ran away, still declaring, " He did n't !
he didn't! he didn't!"
Neither aunt nor uncle tried to shake the child's
faith in her friend, but only hoped her innocent
instinct might prove sure, and loved her all the
better for it. Nat often said, after it was over, that
he could n't have stood it, if it had not been for Daisy.
When the others shunned him, she clung to him closer
than ever, and turned her back on the rest. She did
not sit on the stairs now when he solaced himself
with the old fiddle, but went in and sat beside him,
listening with a face so full of confidence and affec-
tion, that Nat forgot disgrace for a time, and was
happy. She asked him to help her with her lessons,
she cooked him marvellous messes in her kitchen,
which he ate manfully, no matter what they were, for
gratitude gave a sweet flavor to the most distasteful.
Damon and Pythias 239
She proposed impossible games of cricket and ball,
when she found that he shrank from joining the
other boys. She put little nosegays from her garden
on his desk, and tried in every way to show that she
was not a fair-weather friend, but faithful through
evil as well as good repute. Nan soon followed her
example, in kindness at least; curbed her sharp
tongue, and kept her scornful little nose from any
demonstration of doubt or dislike, which was good
of Madame Giddy-gaddy, for she firmly believed that
Nat took the money.
Most of the boys let him severely alone, but Dan,
though he said he despised him for being a coward,
watched over him with a grim sort of protection, and
promptly cuffed any lad who dared to molest his
mate or make him afraid. His idea of friendship was
as high as Daisy's, and, in his own rough way, he
lived up to it as loyally.
Sitting by the brook one afternoon, absorbed in
the study of the domestic habits of water-spiders, he
overheard a bit of conversation on the other side of
the wall. Ned, who was intensely inquisitive, had
been on tenter-hooks to know certainly who was the
culprit ; for of late one or two of the boys had begun
to think that they were wrong, Nat was so steadfast
in his denials, and so meek in his endurance of their
neglect. This doubt had teased Ned past bearing,
and he had several times privately beset Nat with
questions, regardless of Mr. Bhaer's express com-
mand. Finding Nat reading alone on the shady side
of the wall, Ned could not resist stopping for a nibble
at the forbidden subject. He had worried Nat for some
ten minutes before Dan arrived, and the first word
240 Little Men
the spider-student heard were these, in Nat's patient,
pleading voice,
" Don't, Ned ! oh, don't ! I can't tell you because I
don't know, and it 's mean of you to keep nagging at
me on the sly, when Father Bhaer told you not to
plague me. You would n't dare to if Dan was round. '
"I ain't afraid of Dan; he's nothing but an old
bully. Don't believe but what he took Tom's money,
and you know it, and won't tell. Come, now ! '
" He did n't, but, if he did, I would stand up for
him, he has always been so good to me," said Nat,
so earnestly, that Dan forgot his spiders, and rose
quickly to thank him, but Ned's next words arrested
him.
" I know Dan did it, and gave the money to you.
Should n't wonder if he got his living picking pockets
before he came here, for nobody knows any thing
about him but you," said Ned, not believing his own
words, but hoping to get the truth out of Nat by
making him angry.
He succeeded in a part of his ungenerous wish, for
Nat cried out, fiercely, -
" If you say that again I '11 go and tell Mr. Bhaer all
about it. I don't want to tell tales, but, by George !
I will, if you don't let Dan alone."
" Then you '11 be a sneak, as well as a liar and a
thief," began Ned, with a jeer, for Nat had borne in-
sult to himself so meekly, the other did not believe he
would dare to face the master just to stand up for
Dan.
What he might have added I cannot tell, for the
words were hardly out of his mouth when a long arm
from behind took him by the collar, and, jerking him
Damon and Pythias 241
over the wall in a most promiscuous way, landed him
with a splash in the middle of the brook.
" Say that again and I '11 duck you till you can't
see ! ' cried Dan, looking like a modern Colossus of
Rhodes as he stood, with a foot on either side the
narrow stream, glaring down at the discomfited youth
in the water.
" I was only in fun," said Ned.
" You are a sneak yourself to badger Nat round the
corner. Let me catch you at it again, and I '11 souse
you in the river next time. Get up, and clear out ! '
thundered Dan, in a rage.
Ned fled, dripping, and his impromptu sitz-bath
evidently did him good, for he was very respectful to
both the boys after that, and seemed to have left his
curiosity in the brook. As he vanished Dan jumped
over the wall, and found Nat lying as if quite worn
out and bowed down with his troubles.
" He won't pester you again, I guess. If he does,
just tell me, and I '11 see to him," said Dan, trying to
cool down.
" I don't mind what he says about me so much,
I've got used to it," answered Nat, sadly; "but I
hate to have him pitch into you."
"How do you know he is n't right?" asked Dan,
turning his face away.
"What, about the money?" cried Nat, looking up
with a startled air.
" Yes."
" But I don't believe it ! You don't care for money;
all you want is your old bugs and things," and Nat
laughed, incredulously.
" I want a butterfly-net as much as you want a
16
242 Little Men
fiddle ; why should n't I steal the money for it as
much as you?' said Dan, still turning away, and
busily punching holes in the turf with his stick.
" I don't think you would. You like to fight and
knock folks round sometimes, but you don't lie, and
I don't believe you 'd steal," and Nat shook his head
decidedly.
" I Ve done both. I used to fib like fury; it's too
much trouble now ; and I stole things to eat out of
gardens when I ran away from Page, so you see I am
a bad lot," said Dan, speaking in the rough, reckless
way which he had been learning to drop lately.
" O Dan ! don't say it 's you ! I 'd rather have it any
of the other boys," cried Nat, in such a distressed
tone that Dan looked pleased, and showed that he
did, by turning round with a queer expression in his
face, though he only answered,
" I won't say any thing about it. But don't you fret,
and we '11 pull through somehow, see if we don't."
Something in his face and manner gave Nat a new
idea; and he said, pressing his hands together, in the
eagerness of his appeal,
" I think you know who did it. If you do, beg him
to tell, Dan. It's so hard to have 'em all hate me for
nothing. I don't think I can bear it much longer. If I
had any place to go to, I 'd run away, though I love
Plumfield dearly; but I 'm not brave and big like you,
so I must stay and wait till some one shows them
that I have n't lied."
As he spoke, Nat looked so broken and despairing,
that Dan could not bear it, and, muttering huskily,
" You won't wait long," he walked rapidly away,
and was seen no more for hours.
Damon and Pythias 243
" What is the matter with Dan? " asked the boys of
one another several times during the Sunday that fol-
lowed a week which seemed as if it would never end.
Dan was often moody, but that day he was so sober
and silent that no one could get any thing out of him.
When they walked he strayed away from the rest, and
came home late. He took no part in the evening
conversation, but sat in the shadow, so busy with his
own thoughts that he scarcely seemed to hear what
was going on. When Mrs. Jo showed him an unusu-
ally good report in the Conscience Book, he looked
at it without a smile, and said, wistfully,
"You think I am getting on, don't you?'
" Excellently, Dan ! and I am so pleased, because I
always thought you only needed a little help to make
you a boy to be proud of. '
He looked up at her with a strange expression in
his black eyes an expression of mingled pride and
love and sorrow which she could not understand then
but remembered afterward.
" I 'm afraid you '11 be disappointed, but I do try,"
he said, shutting the book without a sign of pleasure
in the page that he usually liked so much to read
over and talk about.
"Are you sick, dear?' asked Mrs. Jo, with her
hand on his shoulder.
" My foot aches a little ; I guess I '11 go to bed.
Good-night, mother," he added, and held the hand
against his cheek a minute, then went away looking
as if he had said good-by to something very dear.
" Poor Dan ! he takes Nat's disgrace to heart sadly.
He is a strange boy ; I wonder if I ever shall under-
stand him thoroughly?" said Mrs. Jo to herself, as
244 Little Men
she thought over Dan's late improvement with real
satisfaction, yet felt that there was more in the lad
than she had at first suspected.
One of the things which cut Nat most deeply was
an act of Tommy's, for after his loss Tommy had said
to him, kindly but firmly,
" I don't wish to hurt you, Nat, but you see I can't
afford to lose my money, so I guess we won't be
partners any longer; " and with that Tommy rubbed
out the sign, " T. Bangs & Co."
Nat had been very proud of the " Co.," and
had hunted eggs industriously, kept his accounts all
straight, and had added a good sum to his income
from the sale of his share of stock in trade.
"O Tom! must you?' 1 he said, feeling that his
good name was gone for ever in the business world if
this was done.
" I must," returned Tommy, firmly. " Emil says
that when one man 'bezzles (I believe that's the
word it means to take money and cut away with
it) the property of a firm, the other one sues him, or
pitches into him somehow, and won't have any thing
more to do with him. Now you have 'bezzled my
property ; I shan't sue you, and I shan't pitch into
you, but I must dissolve the partnership, because I
can't trust you, and I don't wish to fail."
" I can't make you believe me, and you won't take
my money, though I 'd be thankful to give all my
dollars if you 'd only say you don't think I took your
money. Do let me hunt for you, I won't ask any
wages, but do it for nothing. I know all the places,
and I like it," pleaded Nat.
But Tommy shook his head, and his jolly round
Damon and Pythias 245
face looked suspicious and hard as he said, shortly,
" Can't do it ; wish you did n't know the places.
Mind you don't go hunting on the sly, and speculate
in my eggs."
Poor Nat was so hurt that he could not get over it.
He felt that he had lost not only his partner and
patron, but that he was bankrupt in honor, and an
outlaw from the business community. No one trusted
his word, written or spoken, in spite of his efforts to
redeem the past falsehood ; the sign was down, the
firm broken up, and he a ruined man. The barn,
which was the boys' Wall Street, knew him no more.
Cockletop and her sisters cackled for him in vain,
and really seemed to take his misfortune to heart,
for eggs were fewer, and some of the biddies retired
in disgust to new nests, which Tommy could not
find.
" They trust me," said Nat, when he heard of it;
and though the boys shouted at the idea, Nat found
comfort in it, for when one is down in the world, the
confidence of even a speckled hen is most consoling.
Tommy took no new partner, however, for distrust
had entered in, and poisoned the peace of his once
confiding soul. Ned offered to join him, but he de-
clined, saying, with a sense of justice that did him
honor,
" It might turn out that Nat did n't take my money,
and then we could be partners again. I don't think
it will happen, but I will give him a chance, and keep
the place open a little longer."
Billy was the only person whom Bangs felt he could
trust in his shop, and Billy was trained to hunt eggs,
and hand them over unbroken, being quite satisfied
246
Little Men
with an apple or a sugar-plum for wages. The morn-
ing after Dan's gloomy Sunday, Billy said to his
employer, as he displayed the results of a long hunt,
" Only two."
" It gets worse and worse ; I never saw such pro-
voking old hens," growled Tommy, thinking of the
days when he often had six to rejoice over. " Well,
put 'em in my hat and give me a new bit of chalk ; I
must mark 'em up, any way."
Billy mounted a peck-measure, and looked into the
top of the machine, where Tommy kept his writing
materials.
" There 's lots of money in here," said Billy.
" No, there is n't. Catch me leaving my cash round
again," returned Tommy.
" I see 'em one, four, eight, two dollars," persisted
Billy, who had not yet mastered the figures correctly.
" What a jack you are ! ' and Tommy hopped up
to get the chalk for himself, but nearly tumbled down
again, for there actually were four bright quarters in
a row, with a bit of paper on them directed to " Tom
Bangs," that there might be no mistake.
" Thunder turtles ! ' cried Tommy, and seizing
them he dashed into the house, bawling wildly, " It 's
all right ! Got my money ! Where 's Nat? '
He was soon found, and his surprise and pleasure
were so genuine that few doubted his word when he
now denied all knowledge of the money.
" How could I put it back when I didn't take it?
Do believe me now, and be good to me again," he
said, so imploringly, that Emil slapped him on the
back, and declared he would for one.
" So will I, and I 'm jolly glad it 's not you. But
Damon and Pythias 247
who the dickens is it?' said Tommy, after shaking
hands heartily with Nat.
" Never mind, as long as it 's found," said Dan with
his eyes fixed on Nat's happy face.
" Well, I like that ! I 'm not going to have my
things hooked, and then brought back like the jug-
gling man's tricks," cried Tommy, looking at his
money as if he suspected witchcraft.
" We '11 find him out somehow, though he was sly
enough to print this so his writing would n't be
known," said Franz, examining the paper.
" Demi prints tip-top," put in Rob, who had not a
very clear idea what the fuss was all about.
" You can't make me believe it 's him, not if you
talk till you are blue," said Tommy, and the others
hooted at the mere idea; for the little deacon, as
they called him, was above suspicion.
Nat felt the difference in the way they spoke of
Demi and himself, and would have given all he had
or ever hoped to have to be so trusted ; for he had
learned how easy it is to lose the confidence of others,
how very, very hard to win it back, and truth became
to him a precious thing since he had suffered from
neglecting it.
Mr. Bhaer was very glad one step had been taken
in the right direction, and waited hopefully for yet
further revelations. They came sooner than he ex-
pected, and in a way that surprised and grieved him
very much. As they sat at supper that night, a
square parcel was handed to Mr. Bhaer from Mrs.
Bates, a neighbor. A note accompanied the parcel,
and, while Mr. Bhaer read it, Demi pulled off the
wrapper, exclaiming, as he saw its contents,
248
Little Men
" Why, it 's the book Uncle Teddy gave Dan ! '
" The devil ! ' broke from Dan, for he had not
yet quite cured himself of swearing, though he tried
hard.
Mr. Bhaer looked up quickly at the sound. Dan
tried to meet his eyes, but could not ; his own fell,
and he sat biting his lips, getting redder and redder
till he was the picture of shame.
" What is it?' : asked Mrs. Bhaer, anxiously.
" I should have preferred to talk about this in pri-
vate, but Demi has spoilt that plan, so I may as well
have it out now," said Mr. Bhaer, looking a little stern,
as he always did when any meanness or deceit came
up for judgment.
" The note is from Mrs. Bates, and she says that her
boy Jimmy told her he bought this book of Dan last
Saturday. She saw that it was worth much more than
a dollar, and thinking there was some mistake, has
sent it to me. Did you sell it, Dan?'
" Yes, sir," was the slow answer.
"Why?"
" Wanted money."
" For what?"
" To pay somebody."
"To whom did you owe it?' :
" Tommy."
" Never borrowed a cent of me in his life," cried
Tommy, looking scared, for he guessed what was com-
ing now, and felt that on the whole he would have
preferred witchcraft, for he admired Dan immensely.
" Perhaps he took it," cried Ned, who owed Dan a
grudge for the ducking, and, being a mortal boy, liked
to pay it off.
Damon and Pythias 249
" O Dan ! ' cried Nat, clasping his hands, regard-
less of the bread and butter in them.
" It is a hard thing to do, but I must have this set-
tled, for I cannot have you watching each other like
detectives, and the whole school disturbed in this way.
Did you put that dollar in the barn this morning? '
asked Mr. Bhaer.
Dan looked him straight in the face, and answered
steadily, " Yes, I did."
A murmur went round the table, Tommy dropped
his mug with a crash ; Daisy cried out, " I knew it
was n't Nat; ' Nan began to cry, and Mrs. Jo left the
room, looking so disappointed, sorry, and ashamed
that Dan could not bear it. He hid his face in his
hands a moment, then threw up his head, squared his
shoulders as if settling some load upon them, and said,
with the dogged look, and half-resolute, half-reckless
tone he had used when he first came
" I did it ; now you may do what you like to me,
but I won't say another word about it."
" Not even that you are sorry? ' asked Mr. Bhaer,
troubled by the change in him.
(< I ain't sorry."
''I'll forgive him without asking," said Tommy,
feeling that it was harder somehow to see brave Dan
disgraced than timid Nat.
" Don't want to be forgiven," returned Dan,
gruffly.
" Perhaps you will when you have thought about it
quietly by yourself, I won't tell you now how surprised
and disappointed I am, but by and by I will come up
and talk to you in your room."
"Won't make any difference," said Dan, trying to
250 Little Men
speak defiantly, but failing as he looked at Mr. Bhaer's
sorrowful face ; and, taking his words for a dismissal,
Dan left the room as if he found it impossible to
stay.
It would have done him good if he had stayed ; for
the boys talked the matter over with such sincere re-
gret, and pity, and wonder, it might have touched and
won him to ask pardon. No one was glad to find
that it was he, not even Nat; for, spite of all his
faults, and they were many, every one liked Dan now,
because under his rough exterior lay some of the
manly virtues which we most admire and love. Mrs.
Jo had been the chief prop, as well as cultivator, of
Dan ; and she took it sadly to heart that her last and
most interesting boy had turned out so ill. The theft
was bad, but the lying about it, and allowing another
to suffer so much from an unjust suspicion, was worse;
and most discouraging of all was the attempt to restore
the money in an underhand way, for it showed not
only a want of courage, but a power of deceit that
boded ill for the future. Still more trying was his
steady refusal to talk of the matter, to ask pardon, or
express any remorse. Days passed ; and he went
about his lessons and his work, silent, grim, and un-
repentant. As if taking warning by their treatment
of Nat, he asked no sympathy of any one, rejected
the advances of the boys, and spent his leisure hours
roaming about the fields and woods, trying to find
playmates in the birds and beasts, and succeeding
better than most boys would have done, because he
knew and loved them so well.
" If this goes on much longer, I 'm afraid he will
run away again, for he is too young to stand a life
Damon and Pythias 251
like this," said Mr. Bhaer, quite dejected at the fail-
ure of all his efforts.
" A little while ago I should have been quite sure
that nothing would tempt him away, but now I am
ready for anything, he is so changed," answered poor
Mrs. Jo, who mourned over her boy and could not be
comforted, because he shunned her more than any
one else, and only looked at her with the half-fierce,
half-imploring eyes of a wild animal caught in a trap,
when she tried to talk to him alone.
Nat followed him about like a shadow, and Dan did
not repulse him as rudely as he did others, but said,
in his blunt way, " You are all right; don't worry
about me. I can stand it better than you did."
" But I don't like to have you all alone," Nat would
say, sorrowfully.
" I like it ; ' and Dan would tramp away, stifling
a sigh sometimes, for he was lonely.
Passing through the birch grove one day, he came
upon several of the boys, who were amusing them-
selves by climbing up the trees and swinging down
again, as the slender elastic stems bent till their tops
touched the ground. Dan paused a minute to watch
the fun, without offering to join in it, and as he stood
there Jack took his turn. He had unfortunately
chosen too large a tree ; for when he swung off, it
only bent a little way, and left him hanging at a
dangerous height.
" Go back ; you can't do it ! " called Ned from below.
Jack tried, but the twigs slipped from his hands,
and he could not get his legs round the trunk. He
kicked, and squirmed, and clutched in vain, then gave
it up, and hung breathless, saying helplessly,
252 Little Men
" Catch me ! help me ! I must drop ? '
"You '11 be killed if you do," cried Ned, frightened
out of his wits.
" Hold on ! ' shouted Dan ; and up the tree he
went, crashing his way along till he nearly reached
Jack, whose face looked up at him, full of fear and
hope.
" You '11 both come down," said Ned, dancing with
excitement on the slope underneath, while Nat held
out his arms, in the wild hope of breaking the
fall.
" That 's what I want ; stand from under," answered
Dan, coolly ; and, as he spoke, his added weight bent
the tree many feet nearer the earth.
Jack dropped safely; but the birch, lightened of
half its load, flew up again so suddenly, that Dan, in
the act of swinging round to drop feet foremost, lost
his hold and fell heavily.
" I 'm not hurt, all right in a minute," he said, sitting
up, a little pale and dizzy, as the boys gathered round
him, full of admiration and alarm.
" You 're a trump, Dan, and I 'm ever so much
obliged to you," cried Jack, gratefully.
" It was n't anything," muttered Dan, rising slowly.
" I say it was, and I '11 shake hands with you, though
you are " Ned checked the unlucky word on his
tongue, and held out his hand, feeling that it was a
handsome thing on his part.
" But /won't shake hands with a sneak; " and Dan
turned his back with a look of scorn, that caused Ned
to remember the brook, and retire with undignified
haste.
" Come home, old chap ; I '11 give you a lift ; " and
Damon and Pythias 253
Nat walked away with him leaving the others to talk
over the feat together, to wonder when Dan would
" come round," and to wish one and all that Tommy's
" confounded money had been in Jericho before it
made such a fuss."
When Mr. Bhaer came into school next morning,
he looked so happy, that the boys wondered what had
happened to him, and really thought he had lost his
mind when they saw him go straight to Dan, and,
taking him by both hands, say all in one breath, as he
shook them heartily, -
" I know all about it, and I beg your pardon. It
was like you to do it, and I love you for it, though it 's
never right to tell lies, even for a friend."
"What is it? " cried Nat, for Dan said not a word,
only lifted up his head, as if a weight of some sort had
fallen off his back.
" Dan did not take Tommy's money ; ' and Mr.
Bhaer quite shouted it, he was so glad.
" Who did ? " cried the boys in a chorus.
Mr. Bhaer pointed to one empty seat, and every
eye followed his finger, yet no one spoke for a min-
ute, they were so surprised.
" Jack went home early this morning, but he left
this behind him ; " and in the silence Mr. Bhaer read
the note which he had found tied to his door-handle
when he rose.
" I took Tommy's dollar. I was peeking in through a
crack, and saw him put it there. I was afraid to tell be-
fore, though I wanted to. I did n't care so much about Nat,
but Dan is a trump, and I can't stand it any longer. I never
spent the money; it's under the carpet in my room, right
254 Little Men
behind the washstand. I 'm awful sorry. I am going home,
and don't think I shall ever come back, so Dan may have
my things. " JACK."
It was not an elegant confession, being badly writ-
ten, much blotted, and very short ; but it was a pre-
cious paper to Dan ; and, when Mr. Bhaer paused,
the boy went to him, saying, in rather a broken voice,
but with clear eyes, and the frank, respectful manner
they had tried to teach him,
" I '11 say I 'm sorry now, and ask you to forgive
me, sir."
" It was a kind lie, Dan, and I can't help forgiving
it; but you see it did no good," said Mr. Bhaer, with
a hand on either shoulder, and a face full of relief and
affection.
" It kept the boys from plaguing Nat. That 's what
I did it for. It made him right down miserable. I
did n't care so much," explained Dan, as if glad to
speak out after his hard silence.
"How could you do it? You are always so kind
to me," faltered Nat, feeling a strong desire to
hug his friend and cry. Two girlish performan-
ces, which would have scandalized Dan to the last
degree.
" It 's all right now, old fellow, so don't be a fool,"
he said, swallowing the lump in his throat, and laugh-
ing out as he had not done for weeks. " Does Mrs.
Bhaer know?" he asked, eagerly.
11 Yes ; and she is so happy I don't know what she
will do to you," began Mr. Bhaer, but got no farther,
for here the boys came crowding about Dan in a
tumult of pleasure and curiosity ; but before he had
Damon and Pythias 255
answered more than a dozen questions, a voice cried
out,
" Three cheers for Dan ! " and there was Mrs. Jo in
the doorway waving her dish-towel, and looking as if
she wanted to dance a jig for joy, as she used to do
when a girl.
" Now then," cried Mr. Bhaer, and led off a rousing
hurrah, which startled Asia in the kitchen, and made
old Mr. Roberts shake his head as he drove by,
saying,
" Schools are not what they were when I was
young ! '
Dan stood it pretty well for a minute, but the sight
of Mrs. Jo's delight upset him, and he suddenly
bolted across the hall into the parlor, whither she
instantly followed, and neither were seen for half an
hour.
Mr. Bhaer found it very difficult to calm his excited
flock ; and, seeing that lessons were an impossibility
for a time, he caught their attention by telling them
the fine old story of the friends whose fidelity to one
another has made their names immortal. The lads
listened and remembered, for just then their hearts
were touched by the loyalty of a humbler pair of
friends. The lie was wrong, but the love that
prompted it and the courage that bore in silence the
disgrace which belonged to another, made Dan a
hero in their eyes. Honesty and honor had a new
meaning now ; a good name was more precious than
gold ; for once lost money could not buy it back ;
and faith in one another made life smooth and happy
as nothing else could do.
Tommy proudly restored the name of the firm; Nat
256 Little Men
was devoted to Dan ; and all the boys tried to atone
to both for former suspicion and neglect. Mrs. Jo
rejoiced over her flock, and Mr. Bhaer was never
tired of telling the story of his young Damon and
Pythias.
CHAPTER XV
IN THE WILLOW
THE old tree saw and heard a good many
little scenes and confidences that summer,
because it became the favorite retreat of
all the children, and the willow seemed to enjoy it,
for a pleasant welcome always met them, and the
quiet hours spent in its arms did them all good. It
had a great deal of company one Saturday afternoon,
and some little bird reported what went on there.
First came Nan and Daisy with their small tubs
and bits of soap, for now and then they were seized
with a tidy fit, and washed up all their dolls' clothes
in the brook. Asia would not have them " slopping
round ' in her kitchen, and the bath-room was for-
bidden since Nan forgot to turn off the water till it
overflowed and came gently dripping down through
the ceiling. Daisy went systematically to work,
washing first the white and then the colored things,
rinsing them nicely, and hanging them to dry on a
cord fastened from one barberry-bush to another,
and pinning them up with a set of tiny clothes-pins
Ned had turned for her. But Nan put all her little
things to soak in the same tub, and then forgot them
while she collected thistledown to stuff a pillow for
Semiramis, Queen of Babylon, as one doll was named.
This took some time, and when Mrs. Giddy-gaddy
1 7
i <
Little Men
came to take out her clothes, deep green stains
appeared on every thing, for she had forgotten the
green silk lining of a certain cape, and its color
had soaked nicely into the pink and blue gowns, the
little chemises, and even the best ruffled petticoat.
Oh me ! what a mess ! " sighed Nan.
Lay them on the grass to bleach," said Daisy,
with an air of experience.
" So I will, and we can sit up in the nest and watch
that they don't blow away."
The Queen of Babylon's wardrobe was spread forth
upon the bank, and, turning up their tubs to dry, the
little washerwomen climbed into the nest, and fell
to talking, as ladies are apt to do in the pauses of
domestic labor.
" I 'm going to have a feather-bed to go with my
new pillow," said Mrs. Giddy-gaddy, as she trans-
ferred the thistledown from her pocket to her hand-
kerchief, losing about half in the process.
" I would n't ; Aunt Jo says feather-beds are n't
healthy. I never let my children sleep on any thing
but a mattress," returned Mrs. Shakespeare Smith,
decidedly.
" I don't care ; my children are so strong they
often sleep on the floor, and don't mind it" (which
was quite true). " I can't afford nine mattresses, and
I like to make beds myself."
" Won't Tommy charge for the feathers?' 1
" May be he will, but I shan't pay him, and he
won't care," returned Mrs. G., taking a base advan-
tage of the well-known good-nature of T. Bangs.
" I think the pink will fade out of that dress sooner
than the green mark will," observed Mrs. S., looking
In the Willow 259
down from her perch, and changing the subject, for
she and her gossip differed on many points, and Mrs.
Smith was a discreet lady.
" Never mind ; I 'm tired of dolls, and I guess I
shall put them all away and attend to my farm ; I
like it rather better than playing house," said Mrs. G.,
unconsciously expressing the desire of many older
ladies, who cannot dispose of their families so easily
however.
" But you must n't leave them ; they will die with-
out their mother," cried tender Mrs. Smith.
" Let 'em die then ; I 'm tired of fussing over
babies, and I 'm going to play with the boys ; they
need me to see to 'em," returned the strong-minded
lady.
Daisy knew nothing about woman's rights ; she
quietly took all she wanted, and no one denied her
claim, because she did not undertake what she could
not carry out, but unconsciously used the all-power-
ful right of her own influence to win from others any
privilege for which she had proved her fitness. Nan
attempted all sorts of things, undaunted by direful
failures, and clamored fiercely to be allowed to do
every thing that the boys did. They laughed at her,
hustled her out of the way, and protested against
her meddling with their affairs. But she would not
be quenched and she would be heard, for her will was
strong, and she had the spirit of a rampant reformer.
Mrs. Bhaer sympathized with her, but tried to curb
her frantic desire for entire liberty, showing her that
she must wait a little, learn self-control, and be ready
to use her freedom before she asked for it. Nan had
meek moments when she agreed to this, and the
260 Little Men
influences at work upon her were gradually taking
effect. She no longer declared that she would be
engine-driver or a blacksmith, but turned her mind to
farming, and found in it a vent for the energy bottled
up in her active little body. It did not quite satisfy
her, however ; for her sage and sweet marjoram were
dumb things, and could not thank her for her care.
She wanted something human to love, work for, and
protect, and was never happier than when the little
boys brought their cut fingers, bumped heads, or
bruised joints for her to "mend up." Seeing this,
Mrs. Jo proposed that she should learn how to do it
nicely, and Nursey had an apt pupil in bandaging,
plastering, and fomenting. The boys began to call
her " Dr. Giddy-gaddy," and she liked it so well that
Mrs. Jo one day said to the Professor
" Fritz, I see what we can do for that child. She
wants something to live for even now, and will be one
of the sharp, strong, discontented women if she does
not have it. Don't let us snub her restless little
nature, but do our best to give her the work she
likes, and by and by persuade her father to let her
study medicine. She will make a capital doctor, for
she has courage, strong nerves, a tender heart, and
an intense love and pity for the weak and suffering."
Mr. Bhaer smiled at first, but agreed to try, and
gave Nan an herb-garden, teaching her the various
healing properties of the plants she tended, and letting
her try their virtues on the children in the little ill-
nesses they had from time to time. She learned fast,
remembered well, and showed a sense and interest
most encouraging to her Professor, who did not shut
his door in her face because she was a little woman,
In the Willow 261
She was thinking of this, as she sat in the willow
that day, and when Daisy said in her gentle way -
" I love to keep house, and mean to have a nice
one for Demi when we grow up and live together."
Nan replied with decision
" Well, I have n't got any brother, and I don't want
any house to fuss over. I shall have an office, with
lots of bottles and drawers and pestle things in it, and
I shall drive round in a horse and chaise and cure sick
people. That will be such fun."
" Ugh ! how can you bear the bad-smelling stuff
and the nasty little powders and castor-oil and senna
and hive syrup ? ' cried Daisy, with a shudder.
" I shan't have to take any, so I don't care. Be-
sides, they make people well, and I like to cure folks.
Did n't my sage-tea make Mother Bhaer's headache
go away, and my hops stop Ned's toothache in five
hours? So now! '
" Shall you put leeches on people, and cut off legs
and pull out teeth?' asked Daisy, quaking at the
thought.
" Yes, I shall do every thing ; I don't care if the
people are all smashed up, I shall mend them. My
grandpa was a doctor, and I saw him sew a great cut
in a man's cheek, and I held the sponge, and wasn't
frightened a bit, and Grandpa said I was a brave
girl."
" How could you ? I 'm sorry for sick people, and
I like to nurse them, but it makes my legs shake so I
have to run away. I'm not a brave girl," sighed
Daisy.
" Well, you can be my nurse, and cuddle my pa-
tients when I have given them the physic and cut off
262 Little Men
their legs," said Nan, whose practice was evidently to
be of the heroic kind.
"Ship ahoy! Where are you, Nan?' called a
voice from below.
" Here we are."
" Ay, ay ! " said the voice, and Emil appeared hold-
ing one hand in the other, with his face puckered up
as if in pain.
" Oh, what's the matter?" cried Daisy, anxiously.
" A confounded splinter in my thumb. Can't get
it out. Take a pick at it, will you, Nanny? '
" It's in very deep, and I have n't any needle," said
Nan, examining a tarry thumb with interest.
" Take a pin," said Emil, in a hurry.
" No, it 's too big and hasn't got a sharp point."
Here Daisy, who had dived into her pocket, pre-
sented a neat little housewife with four needles in it.
" You are the Posy who always has what we want,"
said Emil ; and Nan resolved to have a needle-book
in her own pocket henceforth, for just such cases as
this were always occurring in her practice.
Daisy covered her eyes, but Nan probed and picked
with a steady hand, while Emil gave directions not
down in any medical work or record.
" Starboard now ! Steady, boys, steady ! Try an-
other tack. Heave ho ! there she is ! '
" Suck it," ordered the Doctor, surveying the splinter
with an experienced eye.
" Too dirty," responded the patient, shaking his
bleeding hand.
"Wait; I'll tie it up if you have got a hand-
kerchief."
" Have n't ; take one of those rags down there."
In the Willow 263
" Gracious ! no, indeed ; they are dolls' clothes,"
cried Daisy, indignantly.
" Take one of mine; I'd like to have you," said
Nan ; and swinging himself down, Emil caught up the
first "rag" he saw. It happened to be the frilled
skirt; but Nan tore it up without a murmur; and
when the royal petticoat was turned into a neat little
bandage, she dismissed her patient ^vith the com-
mand
" Keep it wet, and let it alone ; then it will heal
right up, and not be sore."
" What do you charge?' asked the Commodore,
laughing.
" Nothing; I keep a 'spensary; that is a place
where poor people are doctored free gratis for noth-
ing," explained Nan, with an air.
" Thank you, Doctor Giddy-gaddy. I '11 always
call you in when I come to grief; ' and Emil departed,
but looked back to say for one good turn deserved
another " Your duds are blowing away, Doctor."
Forgiving the disrespectful word, "duds," the ladies
hastily descended, and, gathering up their wash, re-
tired to the house to fire up the little stove, and go to
ironing.
A passing breath of air shook the old willow, as if
it laughed softly at the childish chatter which went on
in the nest, and it had hardly composed itself when
another pair of birds alighted for a confidential twitter.
" Now, I '11 tell you the secret," began Tommy, who
was " swellin' wisibly ' with the importance of his
news.
"Tell away," answered Nat, wishing he had brought
his fiddle, it was so shady and quiet here.
264
Little Men
" Well, we fellows were talking over the late inter-
esting case of circumstantial evidence," said Tommy,
quoting at random from a speech Franz had made at
the club, " and I proposed giving Dan something to
make up for our suspecting him, to show our respect,
and so on, you know- -something handsome and use-
ful, that he could keep always, and be proud of.
What do you think we chose?'
" A butterfly-net ; he wants one ever so much,"
said Nat, looking a little disappointed, for he meant
to get it himself.
" No, sir ; it 's to be a microscope, a real swell one,
that we see what-do-you-call-'ems in water with, and
stars, and ant-eggs, and all sorts of games, you know.
Won't it be a jolly good present? " said Tommy, rather
confusing microscopes and telescopes in his remarks.
" Tip-top ! I 'm so glad ! Won't it cost a heap,
though?' cried Nat, feeling that his friend was be-
ginning to be appreciated.
" Of course it will ; but we are all going to give
something. I headed the paper with my five dollars;
for if it is done at all, it must be done handsome."
"What! all of it? I never did see such a generous
chap as you are ; ' and Nat beamed upon him with
sincere admiration.
" Well, you see, I 've been so bothered with my
property, that I 'm tired of it, and don't mean to save
up any more, but give it away as I go along, and then
nobody will envy me, or want to steal it, and I shan't
be suspecting folks, and worrying about my old cash,"
replied Tommy, on whom the cares and anxieties of a
millionaire weighed heavily.
" Will Mr. Bhaer let you do it? "
In the Willow 265
" He thought it was a first-rate plan, and said that
some of the best men he knew preferred to do good
with their money, instead of laying it up to be squab-
bled over when they died."
" Your father is rich ; does he do that way? '
" I 'm not sure ; he gives me all I want ; I know
that much. I 'm going to talk to him about it when
I go home. Anyhow, I shall set him a good ex-
ample ; ' and Tommy was so serious, that Nat did
not dare to laugh, but said, respectfully,
" You will be able to do ever so much with your
money, won't you ? '
" So Mr. Bhaer said, and he promised to advise me
about useful ways of spending it. I 'm going to
begin with Dan ; and next time I get a dollar or so, I
shall do something for Dick, he 's such a good little
chap, and only has a cent a week for pocket-money.
He can't earn much, you know ; so I 'm going to
kind of see to him ; " and good-hearted Tommy quite
longed to begin.
" I think that 's a beautiful plan, and I 'm not going
to try to buy a fiddle any more ; I 'm going to get
Dan his net all myself, and if there is any money
left, I '11 do something to please poor Billy. He 's
fond of me, and though he is n't poor, he 'd like some
little thing from me, because I can make out what he
wants better than the rest of you." And Nat fell to
wondering how much happiness could be got out of
his precious three dollars.
" So I would. Now come and ask Mr. Bhaer if
you can't go in town with me on Monday afternoon,
so you can get the net, while I get the microscope.
Franz and Emil are going too, and we '11 have a jolly
time larking round among the shops."
266 Little Men
The lads walked away arm-in-arm, discussing the
new plans with droll importance, yet beginning
already to feel the sweet satisfaction which comes
to those who try, no matter how humbly, to be
earthly providences to the poor and helpless, and
gild their mite with the gold of charity before it
is laid up where thieves cannot break through and
steal.
" Come up and rest while we sort the leaves ; it 's
so cool and pleasant here," said Demi, as he and
Dan came sauntering home from a long walk in the
woods.
" All right ! " answered Dan, who was a boy of few
words, and up they went.
" What makes the birch leaves shake so much
more than the others?" asked inquiring Demi, who
was always sure of an answer from Dan.
" They are hung differently. Don't you see the
stem where it joins the leaf is sort of pinched one
way, and where it joins the twig, it is pinched
another. That makes it waggle with the least bit of
wind, but the elm leaves hang straight, and keep
stiller."
" How curious! will this do so?" and Demi held
up a sprig of acacia, which he had broken from a
little tree on the lawn, because it was so pretty.
" No ; that belongs to the sort that shuts up when
you touch it. Draw your finger down the middle
of the stem, and see if the leaves don't curl up,"
said Dan, who was examining a bit of mica.
Demi tried it, and presently the little leaves did
fold together, till the spray showed a single instead
of a double line of leaves.
In the Willow 267
" I like that ; tell me about the others. What do
these do?" asked Demi, taking up a new branch.
" Feed silk-worms ; they live on mulberry leaves,
till they begin to spin themselves up. I was in a
silk-factory once, and there were rooms full of shelves
all covered with leaves, and worms eating them so
fast that it made a rustle. Sometimes they eat
so much they die. Tell that to Stuffy," and Dan
laughed, as he took up another bit of rock with a
lichen on it.
" I know one thing about this mullein leaf: the
fairies use them for blankets," said Demi, who had
not quite given up his faith in the existence of the
little folk in green.
" If I had a microscope, I 'd show you something
prettier than fairies," said Dan, wondering if he
should ever own that coveted treasure. " I knew an
old woman who used mullein leaves for a night-cap be-
cause she had face-ache. She sewed them together,
and wore it all the time."
" How funny ! was she your grandmother? '
" Never had any. She was a queer old woman,
and lived alone in a little tumble-down house with
nineteen cats. Folks called her a witch, but she
wasn't, though she looked like an old rag-bag. She
was real kind to me when I lived in that place, and
used to let me get warm at her fire when the folks at
the poorhouse were hard on me."
" Did you live in a poorhouse? '
"A little while. Never mind that I didn't
mean to speak of it; " and Dan stopped short in his
unusual fit of communicativeness.
" Tell about the cats, please," said Demi, feeling
268 Little Men
that he had asked an unpleasant question, and sorry
for it.
"Nothing to tell; only she had a lot of 'em, and
kept 'em in a barrel nights ; and I used to go and tip
over the barrel sometimes, and let 'em out all over
the house, and then she 'd scold, and chase 'em and
put 'em in again, spitting and yowling like fury."
"Was she good to them?' asked Demi, with a
hearty child's laugh, pleasant to hear.
" Guess she was. Poor old soul ! she took in all
the lost and sick cats in the town ; and when any-
body wanted one they went to Marm Webber, and
she -let 'em pick any kind and color they wanted, and
only asked ninepence, she was so glad to have her
pussies get a good home."
" I should like to see Marm Webber. Could I, if
I went to that place?'
" She 's dead. All my folks are," said Dan, briefly.
"I'm sorry;' and Demi sat silent a minute,
wondering what subject would be safe to try next.
He felt delicate about speaking of the departed lady,
but was very curious about the cats, and could not
resist asking softly
" Did she cure the sick ones? '
" Sometimes. One had a broken leg, and she tied
it up to a stick, and it got well ; and another had fits,
and she doctored it with yarbs till it was cured. But
some of 'em died, and she buried 'em ; and when they
could n't get well, she killed 'em easy."
"How?' asked Demi, feeling that there was a
peculiar charm about this old woman, and some sort
of joke about the cats, because Dan was smiling
to himself.
In the Willow 269
" A kind lady, who was fond of cats, told her how,
and gave her some stuff, and sent all her own pussies
to be killed that way. Marm used to put a sponge,
wet with ether, in the bottom of an old boot, then poke
puss in head downwards. The ether put her to sleep
in a jiffy, and she was drowned in warm water before
she woke up."
" I hope the cats did n't feel it. I shall tell Daisy
about that. You have known a great many interest-
ing things, haven't you?' asked Demi, and fell to
meditating on the vast experience of a boy who had
run away more than once, and taken care of himself
in a big city.
" Wish I had n't sometimes."
" Why? Don't remembering them feel good? '
"No."
" It 's very singular how hard it is to manage your
mind," said Demi, clasping his hands round his knees,
and looking up at the sky as if for information upon
his favorite topic.
"Devilish hard no, I don't mean that;' and
Dan bit his lips, for the forbidden word slipped out
in spite of him, and he wanted to be more careful
with Demi than with any of the other boys.
" I '11 play I did n't hear it," said Demi ; " and you
won't do it again, I 'm sure."
" Not if I can help it. That 's one of the things I
don't want to remember. I keep pegging away, but
it don't seem to do much good ; " and Dan looked
discouraged.
" Yes, it does. You don't say half so many bad
words as you used to ; and Aunt Jo is pleased, because
she said it was a hard habit to break up."
270 Little Men
"Did she?" and Dan cheered up a bit.
" You must put swearing away in your fault-drawer,
and lock it up ; that 's the way I do with my badness."
" What do you mean? " asked Dan, looking as if he
found Demi almost as amusing as a new sort of cock-
chafer or beetle.
" Well, it 's one of my private plays, and I '11 tell
you, but I think you '11 laugh at it," began Demi, glad
to hold forth on this congenial subject. " I play that
my mind is a round room, and my soul is a little sort
of creature with wings that lives in it. The walls are
full of shelves and drawers, and in them I keep my
thoughts, and my goodness and badness, and all sorts
of things. The goods I keep where I can see them,
and the bads I lock up tight, but they get out, and I
have to keep putting them in and squeezing them
down, they are so strong. The thoughts I play
with when I am alone or in bed, and I make up and
do what I like with them. Every Sunday I put
my room in order, and talk with the little spirit that
lives there, and tell him what to do. He is very bad
sometimes, and won't mind me, and I have to scold
him, and take him to Grandpa. He always makes
him behave, and be sorry for his faults, because
Grandpa likes this play, and gives me nice things to
put in the drawers, and tells me how to shut up the
naughties. Hadn't you better try that way? it 's a
a very good one ; " and Demi looked so earnest and
full of faith, that Dan did not laugh at his quaint
fancy, but said, soberly,
" I don't think there is a lock strong enough to
keep my badness shut up. Any way my room is in
such a clutter I don't know how to clear it up."
In the Willow 271
"You keep your drawers in the cabinet all spandy
nice ; why can't you do the others ? '
" I ain't used to it. Will you show me how? " and
Dan looked as if inclined to try Demi's childish way
of keeping a soul in order.
" I 'd love to, but I don't know how, except to talk
as Grandpa does. I can't do it good like him, but
I '11 try."
" Don't tell any one ; only now and then we '11
come here and talk things over, and I '11 pay you for
it by telling all I know about my sort of things. Will
that do? " and Dan held out his big, rough hand.
Demi gave his smooth, little hand readily, and the
league was made ; for in the happy, peaceful world
where the younger boy lived, lions and lambs played
together, and little children innocently taught their
elders.
" Hush ! " said Dan, pointing toward the house, as
Demi was about to indulge in another discourse on
the best way of getting badness down, and keeping it
down ; and peeping from their perch, they saw Mrs.
Jo strolling slowly along, reading as she went, while
Teddy trotted behind her, dragging a little cart up-
side down.
"Wait till they see us," whispered Demi, and both
sat still as the pair came nearer, Mrs. Jo so absorbed
in her book that she would have walked into the
brook if Teddy had not stopped her by saying
" Marmar, I wanter fis."
Mrs. Jo put down the charming book which she
had been trying to read for a week, and looked about
her for a fishing-pole, being used to making toys out
of nothing. Before she had broken one from the
272 Little Men
hedge, a slender willow bough fell at her feet ; and,
looking up, she saw the boys laughing in the nest.
" Up ! up ! " cried Teddy, stretching his arms and
flapping his skirts as if about to fly.
" I '11 come down and you come up. I must go to
Daisy now; " and Demi departed to rehearse the tale
of the nineteen cats, with the exciting boot-and-barrel
episodes.
Teddy was speedily whisked up ; and then Dan
said, laughing, " Come, too ; there 's plenty of room.
I '11 lend you a hand."
Mrs. Jo glanced over her shoulder, but no one was
in sight; and, rather liking the joke of the thing, she
laughed back, saying, " Well, if you won't mention it,
I think I will ; " and will two nimble steps was in the
willow.
" I have n't climbed a tree since I was married. I
used to be very fond of it when I was a girl," she said,
looking well-pleased with her shady perch.
" Now, you read if you want to, and I '11 take care
of Teddy," proposed Dan, beginning to make a fish-
ing-rod for impatient Baby.
" I don't think I care about it now. What were
you and Demi at up here?" asked Mrs. Jo, thinking,
from the sober look in Dan's face, that he had some-
thing on his mind.
" Oh ! we were talking. I 'd been telling him
about leaves and things, and he was telling me some
of his queer plays. Now, then, Major, fish away; '
and Dan finished off his work by putting a big blue fly
on the bent pin which hung at the end of the cord he
had tied to the willow-rod.
Teddy leaned down from the tree, and was soon
In the Willow 273
wrapt up in watching for the fish which he felt sure
would come. Dan held him by his little petticoats,
lest he should take a "header' into the brook, and
Mrs. Jo soon won him to talk by doing so herself.
" I am so glad you told Demi about 'leaves and
things ; ' it is just what he needs ; and I wish you
would teach him, and take him to walk with you."
" I 'd like to, he is so bright; but "
"But what?"
" I did n't think you 'd trust me."
"Why not?"
" Well, Demi is so kind of precious, and so good,
and I 'm such a bad lot, I thought you 'd keep him
away from me."
" But you are not a ' bad lot,' as you say ; and I do
trust you, Dan, entirely, because you honestly try to
improve, and do better and better every week."
"Really?"' and Dan looked up at her with the
cloud of despondency lifting from his face.
"Yes; don't you feel it?"
" I hoped so, but I did n't know."
" I have been waiting and watching quietly, for I
thought I 'd give you a good trial first ; and if you
stood it, I would give you the best reward I had.
You have stood it well ; and now I 'm going to trust
not only Demi, but my own boy, to you, because
you can teach them some things better than any of
us."
" Can I? " and Dan looked amazed at the idea.
" Demi has lived among older people so much that
he needs just what you have knowledge of common
things, strength, and courage. He thinks you are the
bravest boy he ever saw, and admires your strong
18
274 Little Men
way of doing things. Then you know a great deal
about natural objects, and can tell him more wonder-
ful tales of birds, and bees, and leaves, and animals,
than his story-books give him ; and, being true, these
stories will teach and do him good. Don't you see
now how much you can help him, and why I like to
have him with you ? "
" But I swear sometimes, and might tell him some-
thing wrong. I would n't mean to, but it might slip
out, just as ' devil' did a few minutes ago," said Dan,
anxious to do his duty, and let her know his short-
comings.
" I know you try not to say or do any thing to
harm the little fellow, and here is where I think Demi
will help you, because he is so innocent and wise in
his small way, and has what I am trying to give you,
dear, good principles. It is never too early to try
and plant them in a child, and never too late to culti-
vate them in the most neglected person. You are
only boys yet ; you can teach one another. Demi
will unconsciously strengthen your moral sense, you
will strengthen his common sense, and I shall feel as
if I had helped you both."
Words could not express how pleased and touched
Dan was by this confidence and praise. No one had
ever trusted him before, no one had cared to find out
and foster the good in him, and no one had suspected
how much there was hidden away in the breast of the
neglected boy, going fast to ruin, yet quick to feel
and value sympathy and help. No honor that he
might earn hereafter would ever be half so precious
as the right to teach his few virtues and his small
store of learning to the child whom he most re-
In the Willow 275
spected ; and no more powerful restraint could have
been imposed upon him than the innocent companion
confided to his care. He found courage now to tell
Mrs. Jo of the plan already made with Demi, and she
was glad that the first step had been so naturally
taken. Every thing seemed working well for Dan,
and she rejoiced over him, because it had seemed a
hard task, yet, working on with a firm belief in the
possibility of reformation in far older and worse sub-
jects than he, there had come this quick and hopeful
change to encourage her. He felt that he had friends
now and a place in the world, something to live and
work for, and, though he said little, all that was best
and bravest in a character made old by a hard experi-
ence responded to the love and faith bestowed on
him, and Dan's salvation was assured.
Their quiet talk was interrupted by a shout of delight
from Teddy, who, to the surprise of every one, did
actually catch a trout where no trout had been seen
for years. He was so enchanted with his splendid
success that he insisted on showing his prize to the
family before Asia cooked it for supper ; so the three
descended and went happily away together, all satis-
fied with the work of that half hour.
Ned was the next visitor to the tree, but he only
made a short stay, sitting there at his ease while Dick
and Dolly caught a pailful of grasshoppers and crick-
ets for him. He wanted to play a joke on Tommy,
and intended to tuck up a few dozen of the lively crea-
tures in his bed, so that when Bangs got in he would
speedily tumble out again, and pass a portion of the
night in chasing " hopper-grasses ' round the room.
The hunt was soon over, and having paid the hunters
276
Little Men
with a few peppermints apiece Ned retired to make
Tommy's bed.
For an hour the old willow sighed and sung to it-
self, talked with the brook, and watched the lengthen-
ing shadows as the sun went down. The first rosy color
was touching its graceful branches when a boy came
stealing up the avenue, across the lawn, and, spying
Billy by the brook-side, went to him, saying, in a
mysterious tone,
" Go and tell Mr. Bhaer I want to see him down
here, please. Don't let any one hear."
Billy nodded and ran off, while the boy swung him-
self up into the tree, and sat there looking anxious,
yet evidently feeling the charm of the place and hour.
In five minutes Mr. Bhaer appeared, and, stepping
up on the fence, leaned into the nest, saying, kindly,
" I am glad to see you, Jack; but why not come in
and meet us all at once? '
" I wanted to see you first, please, sir. Uncle made
me come back. I know I don't deserve any thing,
but I hope the fellows won't be hard upon me."
Poor Jack did not get on very well, but it was evi-
dent that he was sorry and ashamed, and wanted to
be received as easily as possible ; for his Uncle had
thrashed him well and scolded him soundly for follow-
ing the example he himself set. Jack had begged not
to be sent back, but the school was cheap, and Mr.
Ford insisted, so the boy returned as quietly as
possible, and took refuge behind Mr. Bhaer.
" I hope not, but I can't answer for them, though I
will see that they are not unjust. I think, as Dan
and Nat have suffered so much, being innocent, you
should suffer something, being guilty. Don't you?'
In the Willow 277
asked Mr. Bhaer, pitying Jack, yet feeling that he
deserved punishment for a fault which had so little
excuse.
" I suppose so, but I sent Tommy's money back,
and I said I was sorry, is n't that enough? " said Jack,
rather sullenly ; for the boy who could do so mean a
thing was not brave enough to bear the consequences
well.
" No ; I think you should ask pardon of all three
boys, openly and honestly. You cannot expect them
to respect and trust you for a time, but you can live
down this disgrace if you try, and I will help you.
Stealing and lying are detestable sins, and I hope
this will be a lesson to you. I am glad you are
ashamed, it is a good sign ; bear it patiently, and do
your best to earn a better reputation."
" I '11 have an auction, and sell off all my goods
dirt cheap," said Jack, showing his repentance in the
most characteristic v/ay.
" I think it would be better to give them away, and
begin on a new foundation. Take ' Honesty is the
best policy ' for your motto, and live up to it in act,
and word, and thought, and though you don't make
a cent of money this summer, you will be a rich boy
in the autumn," said Mr. Bhaer, earnestly.
It was hard, but Jack consented, for he really felt
that cheating did n't pay, and wanted to win back the
friendship of the boys. His heart clung to his posses-
sions, and he groaned inwardly at the thought of
actually giving away certain precious things. Asking
pardon publicly was easy compared to this ; but then
he began to discover that certain other things, in-
visible, but most valuable, were better property than
278
Little Men
knives, fish-hooks, or even money itself. So he
decided to buy up a little integrity, even at a high
price, and secure the respect of his playmates, though
it was not a salable article.
" Well, I '11 do it," he said, with a sudden air of
resolution, which pleased Mr. Bhaer.
" Good ! and I '11 stand by you. Now come and
begin at once."
And Father Bhaer led the bankrupt boy back into
the little world, which received him coldly at first, but
slowly warmed to him, when, he showed that he had
profited by the lesson, and was sincerely anxious to
go into a better business with a new stock-in-trade.
CHAPTER XVI
TAMING THE COLT
" ^T "IT THAT in the world is that boy doing?"
% /\ I said Mrs. Jo to herself, as she watched
T T Dan running round the half-mile
triangle as if for a wager. He was all alone, and
seemed possessed by some strange desire to run him-
self into a fever, or break his neck ; for, after several
rounds, he tried leaping walls, and turning somer-
saults up the avenue, and finally dropped down on
the grass before the door as if exhausted.
"Are you training for a race, Dan?" asked Mrs.
Jo, from the window where she sat.
He looked up quickly, and stopped panting to
answer, with a laugh,
" No ; I 'm only working off my steam."
" Can't you find a cooler way of doing it? You
will be ill if you tear about so in such warm weather,"
said Mrs. Jo, laughing also, as she threw him out a
great palm-leaf fan.
" Can't help it. I must run somewhere," answered
Dan, with such an odd expression in his restless eyes,
that Mrs. Jo was troubled, and asked, quickly,
" Is Plumfield getting too narrow for you?"
" I would n't mind if it was a little bigger. I like it
though ; only the fact is the devil gets into me some-
times, and then I do want to bolt."
280 Little Men
The words seemed to come against his will, for he
looked sorry the minute they were spoken, and
seemed to think he deserved a reproof for his ingrat-
itude. But Mrs. Jo understood the feeling, and
though sorry to see it, she could not blame the boy
for confessing it. She looked at him anxiously,
seeing how tall and strong he had grown, how full of
energy his face was, with its eager eyes and resolute
mouth ; and remembering the utter freedom he had
known for years before, she felt how even the gentle
restraint of this home would weigh upon him at times
when the old lawless spirit stirred in him. " Yes,"
she said to herself, " my wild hawk needs a larger
cage ; and yet, if I let him go, I am afraid he will be
lost. I must try and find some lure strong enough
to keep him safe."
" I know all about it," she added, aloud. " It is
not ' the devil,' as you call it, but the very natural
desire of all young people for liberty. I used to feel
just so, and once, I really did think for a minute that
I would bolt."
" Why did n't you ? " said Dan, coming to lean on
the low window-ledge, with an evident desire to con-
tinue the subject.
" I knew it was foolish, and love for my mother
kept me at home."
" I have n't got any mother," began Dan.
" I thought you had noiv" said Mrs. Jo, gently
stroking the rough hair off his hot forehead.
"You are no end good to me, and I can't ever
thank you enough, but it is n't just the same, is it ? '
and Dan looked up at her with a wistful, hungry
look that went to her heart.
Taming the Colt 281
" No, dear, it is not the same, and never can be. I
think an own mother would have been a great deal to
you. But as that cannot be, you must try to let me
fill her place. I fear I have not done all I ought, or
you would not want to leave me," she added, sorrow-
fully.
" Yes, you have ! ' cried Dan, eagerly. " I don't
want to go, and I won't go, if I can help it; but every
now and then I feel as if I must burst out somehow.
I want to run straight ahead somewhere, to smash
something, or pitch into somebody. Don't know
why, but I do, and that's all about it."
Dan laughed as he spoke, but he meant what he
said, for he knit his black brows, and brought down
his fist on the ledge with such force, that Mrs. Jo's
thimble flew off into the grass. He brought it back,
and as she took it she held the big, brown hand a
minute, saying, with a look that showed the words
cost her something
"Well, Dan, run if you must, but don't run far;
and come back to me soon, for I want you very
much."
He was rather taken aback by this unexpected per-
mission to play truant, and somehow it seemed to
lessen his desire to go. He did not understand why,
but Mrs. Jo did, and, knowing the natural perversity
of the human mind, counted on it to help her now.
She felt instinctively that the more the boy was re-
strained the more he would fret against it; but leave
him free, and the mere sense of liberty would content
him, joined to the knowledge that his presence was
dear to those whom he loved best. It was a little ex-
periment, but it succeeded, for Dan stood silent a
282 Little Men
moment, unconsciously picking the fan to pieces and
turning the matter over in his mind. He felt that she
appealed to his heart and his honor, and owned that
he understood ft by saying presently, with a mixture
of regret and resolution in his face,
" I won't go yet awhile, and I '11 give you warning
before I bolt. That 's fair, is n't it? "
" Yes, we will let it stand so. Now, I want to see
if I can't find some way for you to work off your
steam better than running about the place like a mad
dog, spoiling my fans, or fighting with the boys.
What can we invent? " and while Dan tried to repair
the mischief he had done, Mrs. Jo racked her brain
for some new device to keep her truant safe until he
had learned to love his lessons better.
" How would you like to be my express-man? " she
said, as a sudden thought popped into her head.
" Go into town, and do the errands?" asked Dan,
looking interested at once.
" Yes ; Franz is tired of it, Silas cannot be spared
just now, and Mr. Bhaer has no time. Old Andy is
a safe horse, you are a good driver, and know your
way about the city as well as a postman. Suppose
you try it, and see if it won't do most as well to drive
away two or three times a week as to run away once
a month."
" I 'd like it ever so much, only I must go alone
and do it all myself. I don't want any of the other
fellows bothering round," said Dan, taking to the new
idea so kindly that he began to put on business airs
already.
" If Mr. Bhaer does not object you shall have it all
your own way. I suppose Emil will growl, but he
Taming the Colt 283
cannot be trusted with horses, and you can. By the
way, to-morrow is market-day, and I must make out
my list. You had better see that the wagon is in
order, and tell Silas to have the fruit and vegetables
ready for mother. You will have to be up early and
get back in time for school, can you do that? '
" I 'm always an early bird, so I don't mind," and
Dan slung on his jacket with despatch.
" The early bird got the worm this time, I 'm sure,"
said Mrs Jo, merrily.
" And a jolly good worm it is," answered Dan, as
he went laughing away to put a new lash to the whip,
wash the wagon, and order Silas about with all the
importance of a young express-man.
" Before he is tired of this I will find something else
and have it ready when the next restless fit comes
on," said Mrs. Jo to herself, as she wrote her list with
a deep sense of gratitude that all her boys were not
Dans.
Mr. Bhaer did not entirely approve of the new plan,
but agreed to give it a trial, which put Dan on his
mettle, and caused him to give up certain wild plans
of his own, in which the new lash and the long hill
were to have borne a part. He was up and away
very early the next morning, heroically resisting the
temptation to race with the milkmen going into town.
Once there, he did his errands carefully, and came
jogging home again in time for school, to Mr. Bhaer's
surprise and Mrs. Jo's great satisfaction. The Com-
modore did growl at Dan's promotion, but was paci-
fied by a superior padlock to his new boat-house,
and the thought that seamen were meant for higher
honors than driving market-wagons and doing family
284
Little Men
errands. So Dan filled his new office well and
contentedly for weeks, and said no more about bolt-
ing. But one day Mr. Bhaer found him pummelling
Jack, who was roaring for mercy under his knee.
" Why, Dan, I thought you had given up fighting,"
he said, as he went to the rescue.
"We ain't fighting, we are only wrestling," answered
Dan, leaving off reluctantly.
" It looks very much like it, and feels like it, hey,
Jack?' said Mr. Bhaer, as the defeated gentleman
got upon his legs with difficulty.
"Catch me wrestling with him again. He's most
knocked my head off," snarled Jack, holding on to
that portion of his frame as if it really was loose upon
his shoulders.
" The fact is, we began in fun, but when I got him
down I could n't help pounding him. Sorry I hurt
you, old fellow," explained Dan, looking rather
ashamed of himself.
" I understand. The longing to pitch into some-
body was so strong you could n't resist. You are a
sort of Berserker, Dan, and something to tussle with is
as necessary to you as music is to Nat," said Mr.
Bhaer, who knew all about the conversation between
the boy and Mrs. Jo.
" Can't help it. So if you don't want to be pounded
you 'd better keep out of the way," answered Dan,
with a warning look in his black eyes that made Jack
sheer off in haste.
" If you want something to wrestle with, I will give
you a tougher specimen than Jack," said Mr. Bhaer;
and, leading the way to the wood-yard, he pointed
out certain roots of trees that had been grubbed up
Taming the Colt 285
in the spring, and had been lying there waiting to
be split.
" There, when you feel inclined to maltreat the
boys, just come and work off your energies here,
and I '11 thank you for it."
" So I will ; ' and, seizing the axe that lay near,
Dan hauled out a tough root, and went at it so vigor-
ously, that the chips flew far and wide, and Mr. Bhaer
fled for his life.
To his great amusement, Dan took him at his
word, and was often seen wrestling with the ungainly
knots, hat and jacket off, red face, and wrathful eyes ;
for he got into royal rages over some of his adversa-
ries, and swore at them under his breath till he had
conquered them, when he exulted, and marched off
to the shed with an armful of gnarled oak-wood in
triumph. He blistered his hands, tired his back, and
dulled the axe, but it did him good, and he got more
comfort out of the ugly roots than any one dreamed,
for with each blow he worked off some of the pent-up
power that would otherwise have been expended in
some less harmless way.
" When this is gone I really don't know what I
shall do," said Mrs. Jo to herself, for no inspiration
came, and she was at the end of her resources.
But Dan found a new occupation for himself, and
enjoyed it some time before any one discovered the
cause of his contentment. A fine young horse of Mr.
Laurie's was kept at Plumfield that summer, running
loose in a large pasture across the brook. The boys
were all interested in the handsome, spirited creature,
and for a time were fond of watching him gallop and
frisk with his plumey tail flying, and his handsome
286 Little Men
head in the air. But they soon got tired of it, and
left Prince Charlie to himself. All but Dan, he never
tired of looking at the horse, and seldom failed to
visit him each day with a lump of sugar, a bit of
bread, or an apple to make him welcome. Charlie
was grateful, accepted his friendship, and the two
loved one another as if they felt some tie between
them, inexplicable but strong. In whatever part of
the wide field he might be, Charlie always came at full
speed when Dan whistled at the bars, and the boy
was never happier than when the beautiful, fleet crea-
ture put its head on his shoulder, looking up at him
with fine eyes full of intelligent affection.
" We understand one another without any palaver,
don't we, old fellow?' Dan would say, proud of the
horse's confidence, and so jealous of his regard, that
he told no one how well the friendship prospered, and
never asked anybody but Teddy to accompany him
on these daily visits.
Mr. Laurie came now and then to see how Charlie
got on, and spoke of having him broken to harness
in the autumn.
" He won't need much taming, he is such a gentle,
fine-tempered brute. I shall come out and try him
with a saddle myself some day," he said, on one of
these visits.
" He lets me put a halter on him, but I don't
believe he will bear a saddle even if you put it on,"
answered Dan, who never failed to be present when
Charlie and his master met.
" I shall coax him to bear it, and not mind a few
tumbles at first. He has never been harshly treated,
so, though he will be surprised at the new perform-
Taming the Colt 287
ances, I think he won't be frightened, and his antics
will do no harm."
" I wonder what he would do," said Dan to him-
self, as Mr. Laurie went away with the Professor, and
Charlie returned to the bars, from which he had retired
when the gentlemen came up.
A daring fancy to try the experiment took posses-
sion of the boy as he sat on the topmost rail with the
glossy back temptingly near him. Never thinking of
danger, he obeyed the impulse, and while Charlie un-
suspec ingly nibbled at the apple he held, Dan quickly
and quietly took his seat. He did not keep it long,
however, for with an astonished snort, Charlie reared
straight up, and deposited Dan on the ground. The
fall did not hurt him, for the turf was soft, and he
jumped up, saying, with a laugh,
" I did it any way ! Come here, you rascal, and I '11
try it again."
But Charlie declined to approach, and Dan left him
resolving to succeed in the end ; for a struggle like
this suited him exactly. Next time he took a halter,
and having got it on, he played with the horse for a
while, leading him to and fro, and putting him through
various antics till he was a little tired ; then Dan sat
on the wall and gave him bread, but watched his
chance, and getting a good grip of the halter, slipped
on to his back. Charlie tried the old trick, but Dan
held on, having had practice with Toby, who occa-
sionally had an obstinate fit, and tried to shake
off his rider. Charlie was both amazed and indignant ;
and after prancing for a minute, set off at a gallop,
and away went Dan heels over head. If he had not
belonged to the class of boys who go through all
288 Little Men
sorts of dangers unscathed, he would have broken his
neck ; as it was, he got a heavy fall, and lay still col-
lecting his wits, while Charlie tore round the field
tossing his head with every sign of satisfaction at the
discomfiture of his rider, Presently it seemed to
occur to him that something was wrong with Dan,
and, being of a magnanimous nature, he went to see
what the matter was. Dan let him sniff about and
perplex himself for a few minutes ; then he looked
up at him, saying, as decidedly as if the horse could
understand, -
" You think you have beaten, but you are mis-
taken, old boy; and I'll ride you yet see if I
don't."
He tried no more that day, but soon after attempted
a new method of introducing Charlie to a burden. He
strapped a folded blanket on his back, and then let
him race, and rear, and roll, and fume as much as he
liked. After a few fits of rebellion Charlie submitted,
and in a few days permitted Dan to mount him, often
stopping short to look round, as if he said, half
patiently, half reproachfully, " I don't understand it,
but I suppose you mean no harm, so I permit the
liberty."
Dan patted and praised him, and took a short turn
every day, getting frequent falls, but persisting in
spite of them, and longing to try a saddle and bridle,
but not daring to confess what he had done. He had
his wish, however, for there had been a witness of his
pranks who said a good word for him.
" Do you know what that chap has ben doin'
lately?" asked Silas of his master, one evening, as he
received his orders for the next day.
Taming the Colt 289
"Which boy?' said Mr. Bhaer, with an air of
resignation, expecting some sad revelation.
" Dan, he 's ben a breaking the colt, sir, and I wish
I may die if he ain't done it," answered Silas,
chuckling.
" How do you know? '
" Wai, I kinder keep an eye on the little fellers,
and most gen'lly know what they 're up to ; so when
Dan kep going off to the paster, and coming home
black and blue, I mistrusted that sitthing was goin'
on. I did n't say nothin', but I crep up into the barn
chamber, and from there I see him goin' through all
manner of games with Charlie. Blest if he war n't
throwed time and agin, and knocked round like a
bag o' meal. But the pluck of the boy did beat all,
and he 'peared to like it, and kep on as ef bound to
beat."
" But, Silas, you should have stopped it the boy
might have been killed," said Mr. Bhaer, wondering
what freak his irrepressibles would take into their
heads next.
" S'pose I oughter ; but there war n't no real
danger, for Charlie ain't no tricks, and is as pretty a
tempered horse as ever I see. Fact was, I could n't
bear to spile sport, for ef there 's any thing I do
admire it's grit, and Dan is chock full on 't. But
now I know he 's hankerin' after a saddle, and yet
won't take even the old one on the sly; so I just
thought I 'd up and tell, and may be you 'd let him
try what he can do. Mr. Laurie wori't mind, and
Charlie's all the better for 't."
" We shall see ; " and off went Mr. Bhaer to inquire
into the matter.
'9
2go Little Men
Dan owned up at once, and proudly proved that
Silas was right by showing off his power over Charlie ;
for by dint of much coaxing, many carrots, and in-
finite perseverance, he really had succeeded in riding
the colt with a halter and blanket. Mr. Laurie was
much amused, and well pleased with Dan's courage
and skill, and let him have a hand in all future per-
formances; for he set about Charlie's education at
once, saying that he was not going to be outdone by
a slip of a boy. Thanks to Dan, Charlie took kindly
to the saddle and bridle when he had once reconciled
himself to the indignity of the bit; and after Mr.
Laurie had trained him a little, Dan was permitted to
ride him, to the great envy and admiration of the
other boys.
" Is n't he handsome? and don't he mind me like a
lamb?' said Dan one day as he dismounted and
stood with his arm round Charlie's neck.
" Yes, and is n't he a much more useful and agree-
able animal than the wild colt who spent his days
racing about the field, jumping fences, and running
away now and then?' asked Mrs. Bhaer from the
steps where she always appeared when Dan performed
with Charlie.
" Of course he is. See he won't run away now,
even if I don't hold him, and he comes to me the
minute I whistle; I have tamed him well, have n't I? '
and Dan looked both proud and pleased, as well he
might, for, in spite of their struggles together, Charlie
loved him better than his master.
" I am taming a colt too, and I think I shall suc-
ceed as well as you if I am as patient and persever-
ing," said Mrs. Jo, smiling so significantly at him,
Taming the Colt 291
that Dan understood and answered, laughing, yet in
earnest,
" We won't jump over the fence and run away, but
stay and let them make a handsome, useful span of
us, hey, Charlie?' 1
CHAPTER XVII
COMPOSITION DAY
URRY up, boys, it's three o'clock, and
Uncle Fritz likes us to be punctual, you
know," said Franz one Wednesday after-
noon as a bell rang, and a stream of literary-looking
young gentlemen with books and paper in their
hands were seen going toward the museum.
Tommy was in the school-room, bending over his
desk, much bedaubed with ink, flushed with the
ardor of inspiration, and in a great hurry as usual, for
easy-going Bangs never was ready till the very last
minute. As Franz passed the door looking up lag-
gards, Tommy gave one last blot and flourish, and
departed out of the window waving his paper to dry
it as he went. Nan followed, looking very important,
with a large roll in her hand, and Demi escorted
Daisy, both evidently brimful of some delightful
secret.
The museum was all in order, and the sunshine
among the hop-vines made pretty shadows on the
floor as it peeped through the great window. On
one side sat Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer, on the other was a
little table on which the compositions were laid as
soon as read, and in a large semicircle sat the children
on camp-stools which occasionally shut up and let
the sitter down, thus preventing any stiffness in the
Composition Day 293
assembly. As it took too much time to have all read,
they took turns, and on this Wednesday the younger
pupils were the chief performers, while the elder
ones listened with condescension and criticised
freely
" Ladies first; so Nan may begin," said Mr. Bhaer,
when the settling of stools and rustling of papers had
subsided.
Nan took her place beside the little table, and,
with a preliminary giggle, read the following interest-
ing essay on
"THE SPONGE
" The sponge, my friends, is a most useful and
interesting plant. It grows on rocks under the water,
and is a kind of sea-weed, I believe. People go and
pick it and dry it and wash it, because little fish and
insects live in the holes of the sponge ; I found shells
in my new one, and sand. Some are very fine and
soft; babies are washed with them. The sponge has
many uses. I will relate some of them, and I hope
my friends will remember what I say. One use is to
wash the face ; I don't like it myself, but I do it be-
cause I wish to be clean. Some people don't, and
they are dirty." Here the eye of the reader rested
sternly upon Dick and Dolly, who quailed under it,
and instantly resolved to scrub themselves virtuously
on all occasions. " Another use is to wake people
up ; I allude to boys par-//V-u-lar-ly." Another pause
after the long word to enjoy the smothered laugh
that went round the room. " Some boys do not get
up when called, and Mary Ann squeezes the water out
of a wet sponge on their faces, and it makes them so
294 Little Men
mad they wake up." Here the laugh broke out, and
Emil said, as if he had been hit,
" Seems to me you are wandering from the sub-
ject."
" No, I ain't ; we are to write about vegetables or
animals, and I 'm doing both : for boys are animals,
are n't they?' cried Nan; and, undaunted by the
indignant " No ! ' shouted at her, she calmly pro-
ceeded,
" One more interesting thing is done with sponges,
and this is when doctors put ether on it, and hold it to
people's noses when they have teeth out. / shall do
this when I am bigger, and give ethef to the sick, so
they will go to sleep and not feel me cut off their legs
and arms." \
" I know somebody who killed cats with it," called
out Demi, but was promptly crus^d by Dan, who
upset his camp-stool and put a hat over his face.
" I will not be interruckted," said Nan, frowning
upon the unseemly scrimmagers. Order was instantly
restored, and the young lady closed her remarks as
follows :
" My composition has three morals, my friends."
Somebody groaned, but no notice was taken of the
insult. "First, is keep your faces clean second,
get up early third, when the ether sponge is put
over your nose, breathe hard and don't kick, and your
teeth will come out easy. I have no more to say."
And Miss Nan sat down amid tumultuous applause.
" That is a very remarkable composition ; its tone
is high, and there is a good deal of humor in it. Very
well done, Nan. Now, Daisy," and Mr. Bhaer smiled
at one young lady as he beckoned to the other.
Composition Day 295
Daisy colored prettily as she took her place, and
said, in her modest little voice, -
" I 'm afraid you won't like mine ; it is n't nice and
funny like Nan's. But I could n't do any better."
" We always like yours, Posy," said Uncle Fritz,
and a gentle murmur from the boys seemed to confirm
the remark. Thus encouraged, Daisy read her little
paper, which was listened to with respectful attention.
" THE CAT
" The cat is a sweet animal. I love them very much.
They are clean and pretty, and catch rats and mice,
and let you pet them, and are fond of you if you are
kind. They are very wise, and can find their way
anywhere. Little cats are called kittens, and are dear
things. I have two, named Huz and Buz, and their
mother is Topaz, because she has yellow eyes. Uncle
told me a pretty story about a man named Ma-ho-met.
He had a nice cat, and when she was asleep on his
sleeve, and he wanted to go away, he cut off the
sleeve so as not to wake her up. I think he was a
kind man. Some cats catch fish."
" So do I ! ' cried Teddy, jumping up eager to tell
about his trout.
" Hush ! " said his mother, setting him down again
as quickly as possible, for orderly Daisy hated to be
" interruckted, " as Nan expressed it.
" I read about one who used to do it very slyly. I
tried to make Topaz, but she did not like the water,
and scratched me. She does like tea, and when I
play in my kitchen she pats the teapot with her paw,
till I give her some. She is a fine cat, she eats apple-
pudding and molasses. Most cats do not."
296
Little Men
" That 's a first-rater," called out Nat, and Daisy
retired, pleased with the praise of her friend.
"Demi looks so impatient we must have him up
at once or he won't hold out," said Uncle Fritz, and
Demi skipped up with alacrity.
" Mine is a poem ! ' he announced in a tone of
triumph, and read his first effort in a loud and solemn
voice :
" I write about the butterfly,
It is a pretty thing ;
And flies about like the birds.
But it does not sing.
" First it is a little grub,
And then it is a nice yellow cocoon,
And then the butterfly
Eats its way out soon.
" They live on dew and honey,
They do not have any hive,
They do not sting like wasps, and bees, and hornets,
And to be as good as they are we should strive.
" I should like to be a beautiful butterfly,
All yellow, and blue, and green, and red ;
But I should not like
To have Dan put camphor on my poor little head."
This unusual burst of genius brought down the
house, and Demi was obliged to read it again, a
somewhat difficult task, as there was no punctuation
whatever, and the little poet's breath gave out before
he got to the end of some of the long lines.
" He will be a Shakespeare yet," said Aunt Jo,
laughing as if she would die, for this poetic gem re-
Composition Day 297
minded her of one of her own, written at the age of
ten, and beginning gloomily, -
" I wish I had a quiet tomb,
Beside a little rill ;
Where birds, and bees, and butterflies,
Would sing upon the hill. "
" Come on, Tommy. If there is as much ink inside
your paper as there is outside, it will be a long com-
position," said Mr. Bhaer, when Demi had been in-
duced to tear himself from his poem and sit down.
" It isn't a composition, it's a letter. You see, I
forgot all about its being my turn till after school,
and then I did n't know what to have, and there
was n't time to read up ; so I thought you would n't
mind my taking a letter that I wrote to my Grandma.
It 's got something about birds in it, so I thought it
would do."
With this long excuse, Tommy plunged into a sea
of ink and floundered through, pausing now and then
to decipher one of his own flourishes.
" MY DEAR GRANDMA, I hope you are well. Uncle James
sent me a pocket rifle. It is a beautiful little instrument of kill-
ing, shaped like this [Here Tommy displayed a remark-
able sketch of what looked like an intricate pump, or the
inside of a small steam-engine] 44 are the sights ; 6 is a
false stock that fits in at A ; 3 is the trigger, and 2 is the cock.
It loads at the breech, and fires with great force and straight-
ness. I am going out shooting squirrels soon. I shot several
fine birds for the museum. They had speckled breasts, and
Dan liked them very much. He stuffed them tip-top, and
they sit on the tree quite natural, only one looks a little
tipsy. We had a Frenchman working here the other day,
9 8
Little Men
and Asia called his name so funnily that I will tell you about
it. His name was Germain : first she called him Jerry, but
we laughed at her, and she changed it to Jeremiah ; but ridi-
cule was the result, so it became Mr. Germany ; but ridicule
having been again resumed, it became Garrymon, which it
has remained ever since. I do not write often, I am so busy ;
but I think of you often, and sympathize with you, and sin-
cerely hope you get on as well as can be expected without
me. Your affectionate grandson,
"THOMAS BUCKMINSTER BANGS.
" P. S. If you come across any postage-stamps, re-
member me.
" N.B. Love to all, and a great deal to Aunt Almira.
Does she make any nice plum-cakes now?
" P. S. Mrs. Bhaer sends her respects.
" P. S. And so would Mr. B. if he knew I was in act
to write.
" N. B. Father is going to give me a watch on my
birthday. I am glad, as at present I have no means of tell-
ing time, and am often late at school.
" P. S. I hope to see you soon. Don't you wish to
send for me? T. B. B."
As each postscript was received with a fresh laugh
from the boys, by the time he came to the sixth and
last, Tommy was so exhausted that he was glad to
sit down and wipe his ruddy face.
" I hope the dear old lady will live through it,"
said Mr. Bhaer, under cover of the noise.
" We won't take any notice of the broad hint given
in that last P. S. The letter will be quite as much as
she can bear without a visit from Tommy," answered
Mrs. Jo, remembering that the old lady usually took
Composition Day 299
to her bed after a visitation from her irrepressible
grandson.
" Now, me," said Teddy, who had learned a bit of
poetry, and was so eager to say it that he had been
bobbing up and down during the reading, and could
no longer be restrained.
" I 'm afraid he will forget it if he waits ; and I
have had a deal of trouble in teaching him," said his
mother.
Teddy trotted to the rostrum, dropped a curtsey
and nodded his head at the same time, as if anxious
to suit every one; then, in his baby voice, and putting
the emphasis on the wrong words, he said his verse
all in one breath :
" Little drops of water,
Little drains of sand,
Mate a mighty okum (ocean),
And ^ peasant land.
Little worts of kindness,
Pokin evvy day,
Make a home a hebbin,
And hep us on a way."
Clapping his hands at the end, he made another
double salutation, and then ran to hide his head in his
mother's lap, quite overcome by the success of his
" piece," for the applause was tremendous.
Dick and Dolly did not write, but were encouraged
to observe the habits of animals and insects, and
report what they saw. Dick liked this, and always
had a great deal to say; so, when his name was
called, he marched up, and, looking at the audience
with his bright confiding eyes, told his little story
so earnestly that no one smiled at his crooked
300 Little Men
body, because the " straight soul ' shone through it
beautifully.
" I Ve been watching dragonflies, and I read about
them in Dan's book, and I '11 try and tell you what I
remember. There 's lots of them flying round on the
pond, all blue, with big eyes, and sort of lace wings,
very pretty. I caught one, and looked at him, and I
think he was the handsomest insect I ever saw. They
catch littler creatures than they are to eat, and have a
queer kind of hook thing that folds up when they
ain't hunting. It likes the sunshine, and dances
round all day. Let me see ! what else was there to
tell about? Oh, I know! The eggs are laid in the
water, and go down to the bottom, and are hatched
in the mud. Little ugly things come out of 'em ; I
can't say the name, but they are brown, and keep
having new skins, and getting bigger and bigger.
Only think ! it takes them two years to be a dragon-
fly ! Now this is the curious^/ part of it, so you
listen tight, for I don't believe you know it. When
it is ready it knows somehow, and the ugly, grubby
thing climbs up out of the water on a flag or a
bulrush, and bursts open its back."
" Come, I don't believe that," said Tommy, who
was not an observing boy, and really thought Dick
was " making up."
" It does burst open its back, don't it? " and Dick
appealed to Mr. Bhaer, who nodded a very decided
affirmative, to the little speaker's great satisfaction.
" Well, out comes the dragonfly, all whole, and he
sits in the sun sort of coming alive, you know;
and he gets strong, and then he spreads his pretty
wings, and flies away up in the air, and never is a
Composition Day 301
grub any more. That's all I know; but I shall
watch and try and see him do it, for I think it's
splendid to turn into a beautiful dragonfly, don't
you?"
Dick had told his story well, and, when he described
the flight of the new-born insect, had waved his
hands, and looked up as if he saw, and wanted to
follow it. Something in his face suggested to the
minds of the elder listeners the thought that some
day little Dick would have his wish, and after years
of helplessness and pain would climb up into the sun
some happy day, and, leaving his poor little body
behind him, find a new and lovely shape in a fairer
world than this. Mrs. Jo drew him to her side, and
said, with a kiss on his thin cheek,
" That is a sweet little story, dear, and you remem-
bered wonderfully well. I shall write and tell your
mother all about it; " and Dick sat on her knee, con-
tentedly smiling at the praise, and resolving to watch
well, and catch the dragonfly in the act of leaving its
old body for the new, and see how he did it. Dolly
had a few remarks to make upon the " Duck," and
made them in a sing-song tone, for he had learned it
by heart, and thought it a great plague to do it at all.
" Wild ducks are hard to kill ; men hide and shoot
at them, and have tame ducks to quack and make the
wild ones come where the men can fire at them. They
have wooden ducks made too, and they sail round,
and the wild ones come to see them ; they are stupid,
I think. Our ducks are very tame. They eat a great
deal, and go poking round in the mud and water.
They don't take good care of their eggs, but let them
spoil, and "
302 Little Men
" Mine don't ! ' cried Tommy.
" Well, some people's do ; Silas said so. Hens take
good care of little ducks, only they don't like to have
them go in the water, and make a great fuss. But
the little ones don't care a bit. I like to eat ducks
with stuffing in them, and lots of apple-sauce."
" I have something to say about owls," began Nat,
who had carefully prepared a paper upon this subject
with some help from Dan.
" Owls have big heads, round eyes, hooked bills,
and strong claws. Some are gray, some white, some
black and yellowish. Their feathers are very soft,
and stick out a great deal. They fly very quietly,
and hunt bats, mice, little birds, and such things.
They build nests in barns, hollow trees, and some
take the nests of other birds. The great horned owl
has two eggs bigger than a hen's, and reddish brown.
The tawny owl has five eggs, white and smooth ; and
this is the kind that hoots at night. Another kind
sounds like a child crying. They eat mice and bats
whole, and the parts that they cannot digest they
make into little balls and spit out."
" My gracious ! how funny ! ' Nan was heard to
observe.
" They cannot see by day ; and if they get but into
the light, they go flapping round half blind, and the
other birds chase and peck at them as if they were
making fun. The horned owl is very big, 'most as
big as the eagle. It eats rabbits, rats, snakes, and birds ;
and lives in rocks and old tumble-down houses. They
have a good many cries, and scream like a person be-
ing choked, and say, ' Waugh O ! waugh O ! ' and it
scares people at night in the woods. The white owl
Composition Day 303
lives by the sea, and in cold places, and looks some-
thing like a hawk. There is a kind of owl that makes
holes to live in like moles. It is called the burrowing
owl, and is very small. The barn-owl is the com-
monest kind; and I have watched one sitting in a
hole in a tree, looking like a little gray cat, with one
eye shut and the other open. He comes out at dusk,
and sits round waiting for the bats. I caught one, and
here he is."
With that Nat suddenly produced from inside his
jacket a little downy bird, who blinked and ruffled
up his feathers, looking very plump and sleepy and
scared.
" Don't touch him ! He is going to show off," said
Nat, displaying his new pet with great pride. First
he put a cocked hat on the bird's head, and the boys
laughed at the funny effect ; then he added a pair of
paper spectacles, and that gave the owl such a wise
look that they shouted with merriment. The per-
formance closed with making the bird angry, and
seeing him cling to a handkerchief upside down,
pecking and " clucking," as Rob called it. He was
allowed to fly after that, and settled himself on the
bunch of pine-cones over the door, where he sat star-
ing down at the company with an air of sleepy dignity
that amused them very much.
" Have you any thing for us, George? ' asked Mr.
Bhaer, when the room was still again.
"Well, I read and learned ever so much about
moles, but I declare I Ve forgotten every bit of it,
except that they dig holes to live in, that you catch
them by pouring water down, and that they can't pos-
sibly live without eating very often ; ' and Stuffy sat
304 Little Men
down, wishing he had not been too lazy to write out
his valuable observations, for a general smile went
round when he mentioned the last of the three facts
which lingered in his memory.
" Then we are done for to-day," began Mr. Bhaer,
but Tommy called out in a great hurry,
" No, we ain't. Don't you know? We must give
the thing; ' and he winked violently as he made an
eye-glass of his fingers.
" Bless my heart, I forgot ! Now is your time,
Tom ; ' and Mr. Bhaer dropped into his seat again,
while all the boys but Dan looked mightily tickled at
something.
Nat, Tommy, and Demi left the room, and speedily
returned with a little red morocco box set forth in
state on Mrs. Jo's best silver salver. Tommy bore it,
and, still escorted by Nat and Demi, marched up to
unsuspecting Dan, who stared at them as if he thought
they were going to make fun of him. Tommy had
prepared an elegant and impressive speech for the
occasion, but when the minute came, it all went out
of his head, and he just said, straight from his kindly
boyish heart,
" Here, old fellow, we all wanted to give you some-
thing to kind of pay for what happened awhile ago,
and to show how much we liked you for being such
a trump. Please take it, and have a jolly good time
with it."
Dan was so surprised he could only get as red as
the little box, and mutter " Thanky, boys ! ' as he
fumbled to open it. But when he saw what was
inside, his face lighted up, and he seized the long
desired treasure, saying, so enthusiastically that every
Composition Day 305
one was satisfied, though his language was any thing
but polished, -
" What a stunner ! I say, you fellows are regular
bricks to give me this; it's just what I wanted. Give
us your paw, Tommy."
Many paws were given, and heartily shaken, for the
boys were charmed with Dan's pleasure, and crowded
round him to shake hands and expatiate on the beau-
ties of their gift. In the midst of this pleasant chatter,
Dan's eye went to Mrs. Jo, who stood outside the
group enjoying the scene with all her heart.
" No, I had nothing to do with it. The boys got it
up all themselves," she said, answering the grateful
look that seemed to thank her for that happy moment.
Dan smiled, and said, in a tone that only she could
understand,
" It 's you all the same ; ' and making his way
through the boys, he held out his hand first to her
and then to the good Professor, who was beaming
benevolently on his flock.
He thanked them both with the silent, hearty
squeeze he gave the kind hands that had held him up
and led him into the safe refuge of a happy home.
Not a word was spoken, but they felt all he would say,
and little Teddy expressed their pleasure for them as
he leaned from his father's arm to hug the boy, and
say, in his baby way,
" My dood Danny ! everybody loves him now."
" Come here, show off your spy-glass, Dan, and let
us see some of your magnified pollywogs and annymal-
cumisms as you call 'em," said Jack, who felt so un-
comfortable during this scene that he would have
slipped away if Emil had not kept him.
20
306
Little Men
' So I will, take a squint at that and see what you
think of it," said Dan, glad to show off his precious
microscope.
He held it over a beetle that happened to be
lying on the table, and Jack bent down to take his
squint, but looked up with an amazed face, saying,
" My eye ! what nippers the old thing has got ! I
see now why it hurts so confoundedly when you grab
a dorbug and he grabs back again."
" He winked at me," cried Nan, who had poked
her head under Jack's elbow and got the second
peep.
Every one took a look, and then Dan showed
them the lovely plumage on a moth's wing, the four
feathery corners to a hair, the veins on a leaf, hardly
visible to the naked eye, but like a thick net through
the wonderful little glass ; the skin on their own
fingers, looking like queer hills and valleys ; a cob-
web like a bit of coarse sewing silk, and the sting of
a bee.
" It 's like the fairy spectacles in my story-book,
only more curious," said Demi, enchanted with the
wonders he saw.
" Dan is a magician now, and he can show you
many miracles going on all round you ; for he has
two things needful patience and a love of nature.
We live in a beautiful and wonderful world, Demi,
and the more you know about it the wiser and the
better you will be. This little glass will give you a
new set of teachers, and you may learn fine lessons
from them if you will," said Mr. Bhaer, glad to see
how interested the boys were in the matter.
" Could I see anybody's soul with this microscope
Composition Day 307
if I looked hard?' asked Demi, who was much im-
pressed with the power of the bit of glass.
" No, dear ; it 's not powerful enough for that, and
never can be made so. You must wait a long while
before your eyes are clear enough to see the most
invisible of God's wonders. But looking at the lovely
things you can see will help you to understand the
lovelier things you can not see," answered Uncle
Fritz, with his hand on the boy's head.
" Well, Daisy and I both think that if there are any
angels, their wings look like that butterfly's as we
see it through the glass, only more soft and gold."
" Believe it if you like, and keep your own little
wings as bright and beautiful, only don't fly away for
a long time yet."
" No, I won't," and Demi kept his word.
" Good-by, my boys ; I must go now, but I leave
you with our new Professor of Natural History ; '
and Mrs. Jo went away well pleased with that com-
position day.
CHAPTER XVIII
CROPS
THE gardens did well that summer, and in
September the little crops were gathered in
with much rejoicing. Jack and Ned joined
their farms and raised potatoes, those being a good
salable article. They got twelve bushels, counting
little ones and all, and sold them to Mr. Bhaer at a
fair price, for potatoes went fast in that house. Emil
and Franz devoted themselves to corn, and had a
jolly little husking in the barn, after which they took
their corn to the mill, and came proudly home with
meal enough to supply the family with hasty-pudding
and Johnny-cake for a long time. They would not
take money for their crop ; because, as Franz said,
" We never can pay Uncle for all he has done /or us
if we raised corn for the rest of our days."
Nat had beans in such abundance that he despaired
of ever shelling them, till Mrs. Jo proposed a new
way, which succeeded admirably. The dry pods were
spread upon the barn-floor, Nat fiddled, and the
boys danced quadrilles on them, till they were thrashed
out with much merriment and very little labor.
Tommy's six weeks' beans were a failure ; for a dry
spell early in the season hurt them, because he gave
them no water; and after that he was so sure that
they could take care of themselves, he let the poor
Crops
39
things struggle with bugs and weeds till they were
exhausted, and died a lingering death. So Tommy
had to dig his farm over again, and plant peas. But
they were late ; the birds ate many ; the bushes, not
being firmly planted, blew down, and when the poor
peas came at last, no one cared for them, as their day
was over, and spring-lamb had grown into mutton.
Tommy consoled himself with a charitable effort ; for
he transplanted all the thistles he could find, and
tended them carefully for Toby, who was fond of the
prickly delicacy, and had eaten all he could find on
the place. The boys had great fun over Tom's thistle
bed ; but he insisted that it was better to care for
poor Toby than for himself, and declared that he
would devote his entire farm next year to thistles,
worms, and snails, that Demi's turtles and Nat's pet
owl might have the food they loved, as well as the
donkey. So like shiftless, kind-hearted, happy-go-
lucky Tommy !
Demi had supplied his grandmother with lettuce
all summer, and in the autumn sent his grandfather
a basket of turnips, each one scrubbed up till it
looked like a great white egg. His Grandma was
fond of salad, and one of his Grandpa's favorite
quotations was
u Lucullus, whom frugality could charm,
Ate roasted turnips at the Sabine farm."
Therefore these vegetable offerings to the dear
domestic god and goddess were affectionate, appro-
priate, and classical.
Daisy had nothing but flowers in her little plot,
and it bloomed all summer long with a succession of
310 Little Men
gay or fragrant posies. She was very fond of her
garden, and delved away in it at all hours, watching over
her roses, and pansies, sweet-peas, and mignonette,
as faithfully and tenderly as she did over her dolls or
her friends. Little nosegays were sent into town on
all occasions, and certain vases about the house were
her especial care. She had all sorts of pretty fancies
about her flowers, and loved to tell the children the
story of the pansy, and show them how the step-
mother-leaf sat up in her green chair in purple and
gold ; how the two own children in gay yellow had
each its little seat, while the step children, in dull
colors, both sat on one small stool, and the poor little
father, in his red nightcap, was kept out of sight in
the middle of the flower; that a monk's dark face
looked out of the monk's-hood larkspur; that the
flowers of the canary-vine were so like dainty birds
fluttering their yellow wings, that one almost expected
to see them fly away, and the snapdragons that went
off like little pistol-shots when you cracked them.
Splendid dollies did she make out of scarlet and
white poppies, with ruffled robes tied round the waist
with grass blade sashes, and astonishing hats of
coreopsis on their green heads. Pea-pod boats, with
rose-leaf sails, received these flower-people, and
floated them about a placid pool in the most charm-
ing style; for finding that there were no elves, Daisy
made her own, and loved the fanciful little friends
who played their parts in her summer-life.
Nan went in for herbs, and had a fine display of
useful plants, which she tended with steadily increas-
ing interest and care. Very busy was she in Septem-
ber cutting, drying, and tying up her sweet harvest,
Crops
3 11
and writing down in a little book how the different
herbs are to be used. She had tried several experi-
ments, and made several mistakes ; so she wished to
be particular lest she should give little Huz another
fit by administering wormwood instead of catnip.
Dick, Dolly, and Rob each grubbed away on his
small farm, and made more stir about it than all the
rest put together. Parsnips and carrots were the
crops of the two D.'s; and they longed for it to be
late enough to pull up the precious vegetables. Dick
did privately examine his carrots, and plant them
again, feeling that Silas was right in saying it was too
soon for them yet.
Rob's crop was four small squashes and one im-
mense pumpkin. It really was a " bouncer," as
every one said ; and I assure you that two small
persons could sit on it side by side. It seemed to
have absorbed all the goodness of the little garden,
and all the sunshine that shone down on it, and lay
there a great round, golden ball, full of rich sugges-
tions of pumpkin-pies for weeks to come. Robby
was so proud of his mammoth vegetable that he took
every one to see it, and, when frosts began to nip,
covered it up each night with an old bedquilt, tuck-
ing it round as if the pumpkin was a well-beloved
baby. The day it was gathered he would let no one
touch it but himself, and nearly broke his back tug-
ging it to the barn in his little wheelbarrow, with Dick
and Dolly harnessed in front to give a heave up the
path. His mother promised him that the Thanks-
giving-pies should be made from it, and hinted vaguely
that she had a plan in her head which would cover
the prize pumpkin and its owner with glory.
3i2 Little Men
Poor Billy had planted cucumbers, but unfortu-
nately hoed them up and left the pig-weed. This
mistake grieved him very much for ten minutes, then
he forgot all about it, and sowed a handful of bright
buttons which he had collected, evidently thinking in
his feeble mind that they were money, and would
come up and multiply, so that he might make many
quarters, as Tommy did. No one disturbed him, and
he did what he liked with his plot, which soon looked
as if a series of small earthquakes had stirred it up.
When |the general harvest-day came, he would have
had nothing but stones and weeds to show, if kind old
Asia had not hung half-a-dozen oranges on the dead
tree he had stuck up in the middle. Billy was
delighted with his crop ; and no one spoiled his
pleasure in the little miracle which pity wrought for
him, by making withered branches bear strange fruit.
Stuffy had various trials with his melons ; for, being
impatient to taste them, he had a solitary revel before
they were ripe, and made himself so ill, that for a day
or two it seemed doubtful if he would ever eat any
more. But he pulled through it, and served up his
first cantelope without tasting a mouthful himself.
They were excellent melons, for he had a warm slope
for them, and they ripened fast. The last and best
were lingering on the vines, and Stuffy had announced
that he should sell them to a neighbor. This disap-
pointed the boys, who had hoped to eat the melons
themselves, and they expressed their displeasure in a
new and striking manner. Going one morning to
gaze upon the three fine watermelons which he had
kept for the market, Stuffy was horrified to find the
word " PIG " cut in white letters on the green rind,
Crops 3 1 3
staring at him from every one. He was in a great
rage, and flew to Mrs. Jo for redress. She listened,
condoled with him, and then said,
41 If you want to turn the laugh, I '11 tell you how,
but you must give up the melons."
" Well, I will; for I can't thrash all the boys, but
I 'd like to give them something to remember, the
mean sneaks," growled Stuffy, still in a fume.
Now Mrs. Jo was pretty sure who had done the
trick, for she had seen three heads suspiciously near
to one another in the sofa-corner the evening before ;
and when these heads had nodded with chuckles and
whispers, this experienced woman knew that mischief
was afoot. A moonlight night, a rustling in the old
cherry-tree near Emil's window, a cut on Tommy's
finger, all helped to confirm her suspicions ; and hav-
ing cooled Stuffy's wrath a little, she bade him bring
his maltreated melons to her room, and say not a
word to any one of what had happened. He did so,
and the three wags were amazed to find their joke so
quietly taken. It spoilt the fun, and the entire disap-
pearance of the melons made them uneasy. So did
Stuffy's good-nature, for he looked more placid and
plump than ever, and surveyed them with an air of
calm pity that perplexed them much.
At dinner-time they discovered why; for then
Stuffy's vengeance fell upon them, and the laugh was
turned against them. When the pudding was eaten,
and the fruit was put on, Mary Ann re-appeared in a
high state of giggle, bearing a large watermelon ;
Silas followed with another ; and Dan brought up the
rear with a third. One was placed before each of the
three guilty lads ; and they read on the smooth green
314 Little Men
skin this addition to their own work, "With the com-
pliments of the PIG." Every one else read it also,
and the whole table was in a roar, for the trick had
been whispered about ; so every one understood the
sequel. Emil, Ned, and Tommy did not know where
to look, and iiad not a word to say for themselves ;
so they wisely joined in the laugh, cut up the melons,
and handed them round, saying, what all the rest
agreed to, that Stuffy had taken a wise and merry
way to return good for evil.
Dan had no garden, for he was away or lame the
greater part of the summer ; so he had helped Silas
wherever he could, chopped wood for Asia, and taken
care of the lawn so well, that Mrs. Jo always had
smooth paths and nicely shaven turf before her door.
When the others got in their crops, he looked
sorry that he had so little to show; but as autumn
went on, he bethought him of a woodland harvest
which no one would dispute with him, and which was
peculiarly his own. Every Saturday he was away
alone to forests, fields, and hills, and always came
back loaded with spoils ; for he seemed to know the
meadows where the best flag-root grew, the thicket
where the sassafras was spiciest, the haunts where the
squirrels went for nuts, the white oak whose bark was
most valuable, and the little gold-thread vine that
Nursey liked to cure the canker with. All sorts of
splendid red and yellow leaves did Dan bring home
for Mrs. Jo to dress her parlor with, graceful-seeded
grasses, clematis tassels, downy, soft, yellow wax-
work berries, and mosses, red-brimmed, white, or
emerald green.
" I need not sigh for the woods now, because Dan
Crops
brings the woods to me," Mrs. Jo used to say, as she
glorified the walls with yellow maple boughs and
scarlet woodbine wreaths, or filled her vases with rus-
set ferns, hemlock sprays full of delicate cones, and
hardy autumn flowers ; for Dan's crop suited her
well.
The great garret was full of the children's little
stores, and for a time was one of the sights of the
house. Daisy's flower seeds in neat little paper bags,
all labelled, lay in the drawer of a three-legged table.
Nan's herbs hung in bunches against the wall, filling
the air with their aromatic breath. Tommy had a
basket of thistledown with the tiny seeds attached,
for he meant to plant them next year, if they did not
all fly away before that time. Emil had bunches of
pop-corn hanging there to dry, and Demi laid up
acorns and different sorts of grain for the pets. But
Dan's crop made the best show, for fully one half of
the floor was covered with the nuts he brought. All
kinds were there, for he ranged the woods for miles
round, climbed the tallest trees, and forced his way
into the thickest hedges for his plunder. Walnuts,
chestnuts, hazelnuts, and beechnuts lay in separate
compartments, getting brown, and dry, and sweet,
ready for winter revels.
There was one butternut-tree on the place, and Rob
and Teddy called it theirs. It bore well this year,
and the great dingy nuts came dropping down to hide
among the dead leaves, where the busy squirrels found
them better than the lazy Bhaers. Their father had
told them (the boys, not the squirrels) they should
have the nuts if they would pick them up, but no one
was to help. It was easy work, and Teddy liked it,
3 i6
Little Men
only he soon got tired, and left his little basket half
full for another day. But the other day was slow to
arrive, and, meantime, the sly squirrels were hard at
work scampering up and down the old elm-trees stow-
ing the nuts away till their holes were full, then all
about in the crotches of the boughs, to be removed
at their leisure. Their funny little ways amused the
boys, till one day Silas said,
" Hev you sold them nuts to the squirrels?"
" No," answered Rob, wondering what Silas meant.
" Wai, then, you 'd better fly round, or them spry
little fellers won't leave you none."
" Oh, we can beat them when we begin. There
are such lots of nuts we shall have a plenty."
" There ain't many more to come down, and they
have cleared the ground pretty well, see if they
hain't."
Robby ran to look, and was alarmed to find how
few remained. He called Teddy, and they worked
hard all one afternoon, while the squirrels sat on the
fence and scolded.
" Now, Ted, we must keep watch, and pick up just
as fast as they fall, or we shan't have more than
a bushel, and every one will laugh at us if we
don't."
" The naughty quillies tarn't have 'em. I '11 pick
fast and run and put 'em in the barn twick," said
Teddy, frowning at little Frisky, who chattered and
whisked his tail indignantly.
That night a high wind blew down hundreds of
nuts, and when Mrs. Jo came to wake her little sons,
she said, briskly,
" Come, my laddies, the squirrels are hard at it, and
Crops
you will have to work well to-day, or they will have
every nut on the ground."
" No, they won't," and Robby tumbled up in a great
hurry, gobbled his breakfast, and rushed out to save
his property.
Teddy went too, and worked like a little beaver,
trotting to and fro with full and empty baskets.
Another bushel was soon put away in the corn-barn,
and they were scrambling among the leaves for more
nuts when the bell rang for school.
" O father ! let me stay out and pick. Those hor-
rid squirrels will have my nuts if you don't. I '11 do
my lessons by and by," cried Rob, running into the
school-room, flushed and tousled by the fresh cold
wind and his eager work.
" If you had been up early and done a little every
morning there would be no hurry now. I told you
that, Rob, and you never minded. I cannot have the
lessons neglected as the work has been. The squirrels
will get more than their share this year, and they
deserve it, for they have worked best. You may go
an hour earlier, but that is all," and Mr. Bhaer led Rob
to his place, where the little man dashed at his books
as if bent on making sure of the precious hour
promised him.
It was almost maddening to sit still and see the
wind shaking down the last nuts, and the lively thieves
flying about, pausing now and then to eat one in his
face, and flirt their tails, as if they said, saucily, " We '11
have them in spite of you, lazy Rob." The only thing
that sustained the poor child in this trying moment
was the sight of Teddy working away all alone. It
was really splendid the pluck and perseverance of the
Little Men
little lad. He picked and picked till his back ached;
he trudged to and fro till his small legs were tired ;
and he defied wind, weariness, and wicked " quillies,"
till his mother left her work and did the carrying for
him, full of admiration for the kind little fellow who
tried to help his brother. When Rob was dismissed
he found Teddy reposing in the bushel-basket quite
used up, but unwilling to quit the field ; for he flapped
his hat at the thieves with one grubby little hand,
while he refreshed himself with the big apple held in
the other.
Rob fell to work and the ground was cleared before
two o'clock, the nuts safely in the corn-barn loft, and
the weary workers exulted in their success. But
Frisky and his wife were not to be vanquished so
easily ; and when Rob went up to look at his nuts a
few days later he was amazed to see how many had
vanished. None of the boys could have stolen them,
because the door had been locked ; the doves could
not have eaten them, and there were no rats about.
There was great lamentation among the young Bhaers
till Dick said
" I saw Frisky on the roof of the corn-barn, may be
he took them."
" I know he did ! I '11 have a trap, and kill him
dead," cried Rob, disgusted with Frisky's grasping
nature.
" Perhaps, if you watch, you can find out where he
puts them, and I may be able to get them back for
you," said Dan, who was much amused by the fight
between the boys and squirrels.
So Rob watched and saw Mr. and Mrs. Frisky drop
from the drooping elm boughs on to the roof of the
Crops
corn-barn, dodge in at one of the little doors, much
to the disturbance of the doves, and come out with
a nut in each mouth. So laden they could not get
back the way they came, but ran down the low roof,
along the wall, and leaping off at a corner they van-
ished a minute and re-appeared without their plunder.
Rob ran to the place, and in a hollow under the
leaves found a heap of the stolen property hidden
away to be carried off to the holes by and by.
" Oh, you little villains ! I '11 cheat you now, and not
leave one," said Rob. So he cleared the corner and
the corn-barn, and put the contested nuts in the gar-
ret, making sure that no broken window-pane could
anywhere let in the unprincipled squirrels. They
seemed to feel that the contest was over, and retired
to their hole, but now and then could not resist throw-
ing down nut-shells on Rob's head, and scolding vio-
lently as if they could not forgive him nor forget that
he had the best of the battle.
Father and Mother Bhaer's crop was of a different
sort, and not so easily described ; but they were satis-
fied with it, felt that their summer work had prospered
well, and by and by had a harvest that made them
very happy.
CHAPTER XIX
JOHN BROOKE
w
AKE up, Demi, dear ! I want you."
Why, I Ve just gone to bed ; it can't
be morning yet; " and Demi blinked like
a little owl as he waked from his first sound sleep.
" It 's only ten, but your father is ill, and we must
go to him. O my little John ! my poor little John ! "
and Aunt Jo laid her head down on the pillow with a
sob that scared sleep from Demi's eyes and filled his
heart with fear and wonder; for he dimly felt why
Aunt Jo called him " John," and wept over him as if
some loss had come that left him poor. He clung to
her without a word, and in a minute she was quite
steady again, and said, with a tender kiss as she saw
his troubled face,
" We are going to say good-by to him, my darling,
and there is no time to lose ; so dress quickly and
come to me in my room. I must go to Daisy."
" Yes, I will; " and when Aunt Jo was gone, little
Demi got up quietly, dressed as if in a dream, and
leaving Tommy fast asleep went away through the
silent house, feeling that something new and sorrow-
ful was going to happen something that set him
apart from the other boys for a time, and made the
world seem as dark and still and strange as those
familiar rooms did in the night. A carriage sent by
John Brooke 321
Mr. Laurie stood before the door. Daisy was soon
ready, and the brother and sister held each other by
the hand all the way into town, as they drove swiftly
and silently with aunt and uncle through the shadowy
roads to say good-by to father.
None of the boys but Franz and Emil knew what
had happened, and when they came down next
morning, great was their wonderment and discomfort,
for the house seemed forlorn without its master and
mistress. Breakfast was a dismal meal with no
cheery Mrs. Jo behind the teapots ; and when school-
time came, Father Bhaer's place was empty. They
wandered about in a disconsolate kind of way for an
hour, waiting for news and hoping it would be all
right with Demi's father, for good John Brooke was
much beloved by the boys. Ten o'clock came, and
no one arrived to relieve their anxiety. They did
not feel like playing, yet the time dragged heavily,
and they sat about listless and sober. All at once,
Franz got up, and said, in his persuasive way,
"Look here, boys ! let's go into school and do our
lessons just as if Uncle was here.. It will make the
day go faster, and will please him, I know."
" But who will hear us say them? " asked Jack.
" I will ; I don't know much more than you do, but
I 'm the oldest here, and I '11 try to fill Uncle's place
till he comes, if you don't mind."
Something in the modest, serious way Franz said
this impressed the boys, for, though the poor lad's
eyes were red with quiet crying for Uncle John in
that long sad night, there was a new manliness about
him, as if he had already begun to feel the cares and
troubles of life, and tried to take them bravely,
322 Little Men
" I will, for one," and Emil went to his seat, re-
membering that obedience to his superior officer is a
seaman's first duty.
The others followed ; Franz took his uncle's seat,
and for an hour order reigned. Lessons were learned
and said, and Franz made a patient, pleasant teacher,
wisely omitting such lessons as he was not equal to,
and keeping order more by the unconscious dignity
that sorrow gave him than by any words of his own.
The little boys were reading when a step was heard
in the hall, and every one looked up to read the news
in Mr. Bhaer's face as he came in. The kind face
told them instantly that Demi had no father now, for
it was worn and pale, and full of tender grief, which
left him no words with which to answer Rob, as he
ran to him saying, reproachfully,
" What made you go and leave me in the night,
papa? '
The memory of the other father who had left his
children in the night, never to return, made Mr.
Bhaer hold his own boy close, and, for a minute, hide
his face in Robby's curly hair. Emil laid his head
down on his arms, Franz went to put his hand on his
uncle's shoulder, his boyish face pale with sympathy
and sorrow, and the others sat so still that the soft
rustle of the falling leaves outside was distinctly
heard.
Rob did not clearly understand what had happened,
but he hated to see papa unhappy, so he lifted up the
bent head, and said, in his chirpy little voice,
"Don't cry, mein Vater ! we are all so good, we
did our lessons without you, and Franz was the
master."
John Brooke 323
Mr. Bhacr looked up then, tried to smile, and said
in a grateful tone that made the lads feel like saints,
" I thank you very much, my boys. It was a beauti-
ful way to help and comfort me. I shall not forget
it, I assure you."
"Franz proposed it, and was a first-rate master,
too," said Nat; and the others gave a murmur of
assent most gratifying to the young dominie.
Mr. Bhaer put Rob down, and, standing up, put
his arm round his tall nephew's shoulder, as he said,
with a look of genuine pleasure,
" This makes my hard day easier, and gives me
confidence in you all. I am needed there in town,
and must leave you for some hours. I thought to
give you a holiday, or send some of you home, but if
you like to stay and go on as you have begun, I shall
be glad and proud of my good boys."
"We'll stay;" "We'd rather;" "Franz can see
to us ; ' cried several, delighted with the confidence
shown in them.
"Isn't Marmar coming home?" asked Rob, wist-
fully; for home without " Marmar' was the world
without the sun to him.
"We shall both come to-night; but dear Aunt
Meg needs Mother more than you do now, and I
know you like to lend her for a little while."
" Well, I will ; but Teddy 's been crying for her, and
he slapped Nursey, and was dreadful naughty,"
answered Rob, as if the news might bring mother
home.
"Where is my little man? ' asked Mr. Bhaer.
" Dan took him out, to keep him quiet. He 's all
right now," said Franz, pointing to the window,
324 Little Men
through which they could see Dan drawing baby in
his little wagon, with the dogs frolicking about him.
" I won't see him, it would only upset him again ;
but tell Dan I leave Teddy in his care. You older
boys I trust to manage yourselves for a day. Franz
will direct you, and Silas is here to oversee matters.
So good-by till to-night."
"Just tell me a word about Uncle John," said Emil,
detaining Mr. Bhaer, as he was about hurrying away
again.
" He was only ill a few hours, and died as he has
lived, so cheerfully, so peacefully, that it seems a sin
to mar the beauty of it with any violent or selfish
grief. We were in time to say good-by: and Daisy
and Demi were in his arms as he fell asleep on Aunt
Meg's breast. No more now, I cannot bear it," and
Mr. Bhaer went hastily away quite bowed with grief,
for in John Brooke he had lost both friend and brother,
and there was no one left to take his place.
All that day the house was very still ; the small
boys played quietly in the nursery ; the others, feel-
ing as if Sunday had come in the middle of the week,
spent it in walking, sitting in the willow, or among
their pets, all talking much of " Uncle John," and
feeling that something gentle, just, and strong, had
gone out of their little world, leaving a sense of loss
that deepened every hour. At dusk, Mr. and Mrs.
Bhaer came home alone, for Demi and Daisy were
their mother's best comfort now, and could not leave
her. Poor Mrs. Jo seemed quite spent, and evidently
needed the same sort of comfort, for her first words,
as she came up the stairs, were, " Where is my
baby?"
John Brooke 325
" Here I is," answered a little voice, as Dan put
Teddy into her arms, adding, as she hugged him close,
" My Danny tooked tare of me all day, and I was
dood."
Mrs. Jo turned to thank the faithful nurse, but Dan
was waving off the boys, who had gathered in the hall
to meet her, and was saying, in a low voice, " Keep
back ; she don't want to be bothered with us now."
" No, don't keep back. I want you all. Come in
and see me, my boys. I Ve neglected you all day,"
and Mrs. Jo held out her hands to them as they
gathered round and escorted her into her own room,
saying little, but expressing much by affectionate
looks and clumsy little efforts to show their sorrow
and sympathy.
" I am so tired, I will lie here and cuddle Teddy,
and you shall bring me in some tea," she said, trying
to speak cheerfully for their sakes.
A general stampede into the dining-room followed,
and the supper-table would have been ravaged if Mr.
Bhaer had not interfered. It was agreed that one
squad should carry in the mother's tea, and another
bring it out. The four nearest and dearest claimed
the first honor, so Franz bore the teapot, Emil the
bread, Rob the milk, and Teddy insisted on carrying
the sugar-basin, which was lighter by several lumps
when it arrived than when it started. Some women
might have found it annoying at such a time to have
boys creaking in and out, upsetting cups and rattling
spoons in violent efforts to be quiet and helpful ; but
it suited Mrs. Jo, because just then her heart was very
tender ; and remembering that many of her boys were
fatherless or motherless, she yearned over them, and
326
Little Men
. i
found comfort in their blundering affection. It was
the sort of food that did her more good than the very
thick bread-and-butter that they gave her, and the
rough Commodore's broken whisper
"Bear up, Aunty, it's a hard blow; but we'll
weather it somehow," cheered her more than the
sloppy cup he brought her, full of tea as bitter as if
some salt tear of his own had dropped into it on the
way. When supper was over, a second deputation
removed the tray ; and Dan said, holding out his arms
for sleepy little Teddy,
Let me put him to bed, you 're so tired, Mother."
Will you go with him, lovey? ' asked Mrs. Jo of
her small lord and master, who lay on her arm among
the sofa-pillows.
" Torse I will ; ' and he was proudly carried off by
his faithful bearer.
" I wish 7 could do something," said Nat, with a
sigh, as Franz leaned over the sofa, and softly stroked
Aunt Jo's hot forehead.
" You can, dear. Go and get your violin, and play
me the sweet little airs Uncle Teddy sent you last.
Music will comfort me better than any thing else to-
night."
Nat flew for his fiddle, and, sitting just outside her
door, played as he had never done before, for now his
heart was in it, and seemed to magnetize his fingers.
The other lads sat quietly upon the steps, keeping
watch that no new-comer should disturb the house ;
Franz lingered at his post; and so, soothed, served,
and guarded by her boys, poor Mrs. Jo slept at last,
and forgot her sorrow for an hour.
Two quiet days, and on the third Mr. Bhaer came
John Brooke 327
in just after school, with a note in his hand, looking
both moved and pleased.
" I want to read you something, boys," he said ;
and as they stood round him he read this : -
" DEAR BROTHER FRITZ, I hear that you do not mean
to bring your flock to-day, thinking that I may not like it.
Please do. The sight of his friends will help Demi through
the hard hour, and I want the boys to hear what father says
of my John. It will do them good, I know. If they would
sing one of the sweet old hymns you have taught them so
well, I should like it better than any other music, and feel
that it was beautifully suited to the occasion. Please ask
them, with my love. MEG."
>
" Will you go?" and Mr. Bhaer looked at the lads,
who were greatly touched by Mrs. Brooke's kind
words and wishes.
" Yes," they answered, like one boy; and an hour
later they went away with Franz to bear their part in
John Brooke's simple funeral.
The little house looked as quiet, sunny, and home-
like as when Meg entered it a bride, ten years ago,
only then it was early summer, and roses blossomed
everywhere ; now it was early autumn, and dead
leaves rustled softly down, leaving the branches
bare. The bride was a widow now; but the same
beautiful serenity shone in her face, and the sweet
resignation of a truly pious soul made her presence
a consolation to those who came to comfort her.
" O Meg ! how can you bear it so?' whispered Jo,
as she met them at the door with a smile of welcome,
and no change in her gentle manner, except more
gentleness.
328
Little Men
" Dear Jo, the love that has blest me for ten happy
years supports me still. It could not die, and John is
more my own than ever," whispered Meg ; and in her
eyes the tender trust was so beautiful and bright, that
Jo believed her, and thanked God for the immortality
of love like hers.
They were all there father and mother, Uncle
Teddy, and Aunt Amy, old Mr Laurence, white-
haired and feeble now, Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer, with their
flock, and many friends, come to do honor to the
dead. One would have said that modest John Brooke,
in his busy, quiet, humble life, had had little time to
make friends ; but now they seemed to start up every-
where, old and young, rich and poor, high and low;
for all unconsciously his influence had made itself
widely felt, his virtues were remembered, and his hid-
den charities rose up to bless him. The group about
his coffin was a far more eloquent eulogy than any
Mr. March could utter. There were the rich men
whom he had served faithfully for years ; the poor
old women whom he cherished with his little store,
in memory of his mother; the wife to whom he
had given such happiness that death could not mar it
utterly ; the brothers and sisters in whose hearts he
had made a place for ever ; the little son and daughter,
who already felt the loss of his strong arm and tender
voice ; the young children, sobbing for their kindest
playmate, and the tall lads, watching with softened
faces a scene which they never could forget. A very
simple service, and very short ; for the fatherly voice
that had faltered in the marriage-sacrament now failed
entirely as Mr. March endeavored to pay his tribute
of reverence and love to the son whom he most
John Brooke 329
honored. Nothing but the soft coo of Baby Josy's
voice up-stairs broke the long hush that followed the
last Amen, till, at a sign from Mr. Bhaer, the well-
trained boyish voices broke out in a hymn, so full of
lofty cheer, that one by one all joined in it, singing
with full hearts, and finding their troubled spirits
lifted into peace on the wings of that brave, sweet
psalm.
As Meg listened, she felt that she had done well ;
for not only did the moment comfort her with the
assurance that John's last lullaby was sung by the
young voices he loved so well, but in the faces of the
boys she saw that they had caught a glimpse of the
beauty of virtue in its most impressive form, and that
the memory of the good man lying dead before them
would live long and helpfully in their remembrance.
Daisy's head lay in her lap, and Demi held her hand,
looking often at her, with eyes so like his father's, and
a little gesture that seemed to say, " Don't be troubled,
mother; I am here; ' and all about her were friends
to lean upon and love ; so patient, pious Meg put by
her heavy grief, feeling that her best help would be
to live for others, as her John had done.
That evening, as the Plumfield boys sat on the
steps, as usual, in the mild September moonlight, they
naturally fell to talking of the event of the day.
Emil began by breaking out, in his impetuous way,
" Uncle Fritz is the wisest, and Uncle Laurie the
jolliest, but Uncle John was the best; and I 'd rather
be like him than any man I ever saw."
" So would I. Did you hear what those gentlemen
said to Grandpa to-day? I would like to have that
said of me when I was dead ; ' and Franz felt with
330 Little Men
regret that he had not appreciated Uncle John
enough.
"What did they say?" asked Jack, who had been
much impressed by the scenes of the day.
" Why, one of the partners of Mr. Laurence, where
Uncle John has been ever so long, was saying that he
was conscientious almost to a fault as a business man,
and above reproach in all things. Another gentle-
man said no money could repay the fidelity and
honesty with which Uncle John had served him, and
then Grandpa told them the best of all. Uncle John
once had a place in the office of a man who cheated,
and when this man wanted uncle to help him do it,
uncle would n't, though he was offered a big salary.
The man was angry and said, ' You will never get on
in business with such strict principles;' and uncle
answered back, ' I never will try to get on without
them,' and left the place for a much harder and
poorer one."
" Good ! ' cried several of the boys warmly, for
they were in the mood to understand and value the
little story as never before.
" He was n't rich, was he? " asked Jack.
" No."
" He never did any thing to make a stir in the
world, did he?"
" No."
" He was only good? "
"That's all; ' and Franz found himself wishing
that Uncle John had done something to boast of, for
it was evident that Jack was disappointed by his
replies.
" Only good. That is all and every thing," said
John Brooke 331
Mr. Bhaer, who had overheard the last few words,
and guessed what was going on in the minds of the
lads.
" Let me tell you a little about John Brooke, and you
will see why men honor him, and why he was satis-
fied to be good rather than rich or famous. He sim-
ply did his duty in all things, and did it so cheerfully,
so faithfully, that it kept him patient, brave, and happy
through poverty and loneliness and years of hard
work. He was a good son, and gave up his own
plans to stay and live with his mother while she
needed him. He was a good friend, and taught
Laurie much beside his Greek and Latin, did it un-
consciously, perhaps, by showing him an example
of an upright man. He was a faithful servant, and
made himself so valuable to those who employed him
that they will find it hard to fill his place. He was a
good husband and father, so tender, wise, and thought-
ful, that Laurie and I learned much of him, and only
knew how well he loved his family, when we dis-
covered all he had done for them, unsuspected and
unassisted."
Mr. Bhaer stopped a minute, and the boys sat like
statues in the moonlight until he went on again, in a
subdued, but earnest voice : " As he lay dying, I said
to him, ' Have no care for Meg and the little ones ; I
will see that they never want.' Then he smiled and
pressed my hand, and answered, in his cheerful way,
4 No need of that; I have cared for them.' And so
he had, for when we looked among his papers, all was
in order, not a debt remained ; and safely put away
was enough to keep Meg comfortable and indepen-
dent. Then we knew why he had lived so plainly,
332 Little Men
denied himself so many pleasures, except that of
charity, and worked so hard that I fear he shortened
his good life. He never asked help for himself,
though often for others, but bore his own burden and
worked out his own task bravely and quietly. No
one can say a word of complaint against him, so just
and generous and kind was he ; and now, when he is
gone, all find so much to love and praise and honor,
that I am proud to have been his friend, and would
rather leave my children the legacy he leaves his than
the largest fortune ever made. Yes ! Simple, genuine
goodness is the best capital to found the business
of this life upon. It lasts when fame and money
fail, and is the only riches we can take out of this
world with us. Remember that, my boys; and if
you want to earn respect and confidence and love fol-
low in the footsteps of John Brooke."
When Demi returned to school, after some weeks
at home, he seemed to have recovered from his loss
with the blessed elasticity of childhood, and so he
had in a measure ; but he did not forget, for his was
a nature into which things sank deeply, to be pon-
dered over, and absorbed into the soil where the
small virtues were growing fast. He played and
studied, worked and sang, just as before, and few
suspected any change ; but there was one and
Aunt Jo saw it for she watched over the boy with
her whole heart, trying to fill John's place in her
poor way. He seldom spoke of his loss, but Aunt
Jo often heard a stifled sobbing in the little bed at
night ; and when she went to comfort him, all his
cry was, " I want my father ! oh, I want my father ! '
for the tie between the two had been a very tender
John Brooke 333
one, and the child's heart bled when it was broken.
But time was kind to him, and slowly he came to
feel that father was not lost, only invisible for a while,
and sure to be found again, well and strong and fond
as ever, even though his little son should see the
purple asters blossom on his grave many, many
times before they met. To this belief Demi held
fast, and in it found both help and comfort, because
it led him unconsciously through a tender longing
for the father whom he had seen to a childlike trust
in the Father whom he had not seen. Both were in
heaven, and he prayed to both, trying to be good for
love of them.
The outward change corresponded to the inward,
for in those few weeks Demi seemed to have grown
tall, and began to drop his childish plays, not as if
ashamed of them, as some boys do, but as if he had
outgrown them, and wanted something manlier. He
took to the hated arithmetic, and held on so steadily
that his uncle was charmed, though he could not
understand the whim, until Demi said
" I am going to be a bookkeeper when I grow up,
like papa, and I must know about figures and things,
else I can't have nice, neat ledgers like his."
At another time he came to his aunt with a very
serious face, and said -
" What can a small boy do to earn money? "
" Why do you ask, my deary?"
" My father told me to take care of mother and
the little girls, and I want to, but I don't know how to
begin."
" He did not mean now, Demi, but by and by,
when you are large."
334 Little Men
" But I wish to begin now, if I can, because I think
I ought to make some money to buy things for the
family. I am ten, and other boys no bigger than I
earn pennies sometimes."
" Well, then, suppose you rake up all the dead
leaves and cover the strawberry bed. I '11 pay you a
dollar for the job," said Aunt Jo.
" Is n't that a great deal? I could do it in one
day. You must be fair, and not pay too much,
because I want to truly earn it."
" My little John, I will be fair, and not pay a
penny too much. Don't work too hard ; and when
that is done I will have something else for you to
do," said Mrs. Jo, much touched by his desire to
help, and his sense of justice, so like his scrupulous
father.
When the leaves were done, many barrowloads of
chips were wheeled from the wood to the shed, and
another dollar earned. Then Demi helped cover the
school-books, working in the evenings, under Franz's
direction, tugging patiently away at each book, letting
no one help, and receiving his wages with such satis-
faction that the dingy bills became quite glorified in
his sight.
" Now, I have a dollar for each of them, and I
should like to take my money to mother all myself,
so she can see that I have minded my father."
So Demi made a duteous pilgrimage to his mother,
who received his little earnings as a treasure of great
worth, and would have kept it untouched, if Demi
had not begged her to buy some useful thing for
herself and the women-children, whom he felt were
left to his care.
John Brooke 335
This made him very happy, and, though he often
forgot his responsibilities for a time, the desire to
help was still there, strengthening with his years.
He always uttered the words " my father " with an
air of gentle pride, and often said, as if he claimed a
title full of honor, " Don't call me Demi any more.
I am John Brooke now." So, strengthened by a
purpose and a hope, the little lad of ten bravely
began the world, and entered into his inheritance,
the memory of a wise and tender father, the legacy
of an honest name.
CHAPTER XX
ROUND THE FIRE
WITH the October frosts came the cheery
fires in the great fireplaces; and Demi's
dry pine-chips helped Dan's oak-knots
to blaze royally, and go roaring up the chimney with
a jolly sound. All were glad to gather round the
hearth, as the evenings grew longer, to play games,
read, or lay plans for the winter. But the favorite
amusement was story-telling, and Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer
were expected to have a store of lively tales always
on hand. Their supply occasionally gave out, ami
then the boys were thrown upon their own resources,
which were not always successful. Ghost-parties
were the rage at one time ; for the fun of the thing
consisted in putting out the lights, letting the fire
die down, and then sitting in the dark, and telling the
most awful tales they could invent. As this resulted
in scares of all sorts among the boys, Tommy's walk-
ing in his sleep on the shed roof, and a general state
of nervousness in the little ones, it was forbidden,
and they fell back on more harmless amusements.
One evening, when the small boys were snugly
tucked in bed, and the older lads were lounging
about the school-room fire, trying to decide what
they should do, Demi suggested a new way of settling
the question.
Round the Fire 337
Seizing the hearth-brush, he marched up and
down the room, saying, " Row, row, row;" and when
the boys, laughing and pushing, had got into line, he
said, " Now, I '11 give you two minutes to think of a
play." Franz was writing, and Emil reading the Life
of Lord Nelson, and neither joined the party, but the
others thought hard, and when the time was up were
ready to reply.
" Now, Tom ! ' and the poker softly rapped him
on the head.
" Blind-man's Buff."
" Jack ! "
" Commerce; a good round game, and have cents
for the pool."
" Uncle forbids our playing for money. Dan, what
do you want? '
"Let's have a battle between the Greeks and
Romans."
"Stuffy?"
" Roast apples, pop corn, and crack nuts."
" Good ! good ! ' cried several ; and when the
vote was taken, Stuffy's proposal carried the
day.
Some went to the cellar for apples, some to the
garret for nuts, and others looked up the popper and
the corn.
" We had better ask the girls to come in, had n't
we?' said Demi, in a sudden fit of politeness.
" Daisy pricks chestnuts beautifully," put in Nat,
who wanted his little friend to share the fun.
" Nan pops corn tip-top, we must have her," added
Tommy.
" Bring in your sweethearts then, we don't mind,"
22
Little Men
said Jack, who laughed at the innocent regard the
little people had for one another.
" You shan't call my sister a sweetheart ; it is
so silly ! ' cried Demi, in a way that made Jack
laugh.
" She is Nat's darling, is n't she old chirper? '
" Yes, if Demi don't mind. I can't help being fond
of her, she is so good to me," answered Nat, with
bashful earnestness, for Jack's rough ways disturbed
him.
" Nan is my sweetheart, and I shall marry her in
about a year, so don't you get in the way, any of
you," said Tommy, stoutly ; for he and Nan had
settled their future, child-fashion, and were to live in
the willow, lower down a basket for food, and do
other charmingly impossible things.
Demi was quenched by the decision of Bangs, who
took him by the arm and walked him off to get the
ladies. Nan and Daisy were sewing with Aunt Jo on
certain small garments for Mrs. Carney's newest
baby.
" Please, ma'am, could you lend us the girls for a
little while? we'll be very careful of them," said
Tommy, winking one eye to express apples, snapping
his fingers to signify pop-corn, and gnashing his
teeth to convey the idea of nut-cracking.
The girls understood this pantomime at once, and
began to pull off their thimbles before Mrs. Jo could
decide whether Tommy was going into convulsions
or was brewing some unusual piece of mischief.
Demi explained with elaboration, permission was
readily granted, and the boys departed with their
prize.
Round the Fire 339
" Don't you speak to Jack," whispered Tommy, as
he and Nan promenaded down the hall to get a fork
to prick the apples.
" Why not?"
" He laughs at me, so I don't wish you to have
any thing to do with him."
" Shall, if I like," said Nan, promptly resenting this
premature assumption of authority on the part of her
lord.
" Then I won't have you for my sweetheart."
" I don't care."
" Why, Nan, I thought you were fond of me ! " and
Tommy's voice was full of tender reproach.
" If you mind Jack's laughing I don't care for you
one bit."
" Then you may take back your old ring ; I won't
wear it any longer;' and Tommy plucked off a
horsehair pledge of affection which Nan had given
him in return for one made of a lobster's feeler.
" I shall give it to Ned," was her cruel reply ; for
Ned liked Mrs. Giddy-gaddy, and had turned her
clothes-pins, boxes, and spools enough to set up
housekeeping with.
Tommy said, " Thunder-turtles ! ' as the only vent
equal to the pent-up anguish of the moment, and,
dropping Nan's arm, retired in high dudgeon, leaving
her to follow with the fork, - - a neglect which
naughty Nan punished by proceeding to prick his
heart with jealousy as if it were another sort of
apple.
The hearth was swept, and the rosy Baldwins put
down to roast. A shovel was heated, and the chest-
nuts danced merrily upon it, while the corn popped
340 Little Men
wildly in its wire prison. Dan cracked his best wal-
nuts, and every one chattered and laughed, while the
rain beat on the window-pane and the wind howled
round the house.
" Why is Billy like this nut?" asked Emil, who was
frequently inspired with bad conundrums.
" Because he is cracked," answered Ned.
" That's not fair; you must n't make fun of Billy,
because he can't hit back again. It 's mean," cried
Dan, smashing a nut wrathfully.
"To what family of insects does Blake belong?'
asked peacemaker Franz, seeing that Emil looked
ashamed and Dan lowering.
" Gnats," answered Jack.
" Why is Daisy like a bee ? ' cried Nat, who had
been wrapt in thought for several minutes.
" Because she is queen of the hive," said Dan.
"No."
"Because she is sweet."
" Bees are not sweet/'
" Give it up."
" Because she makes sweet things, is always busy,
and likes flowers," said Nat, piling up his boyish
compliments till Daisy blushed like a rosy clover.
" Why is Nan like a hornet? ' demanded Tommy,
glowering at her, and adding, without giving any
one time to answer, "Because she isrit sweet,
makes a great buzzing about nothing, and stings
like fury."
"Tommy's mad, and I 'm glad," cried Ned, as Nan
tossed her head and answered quickly
"What thing in the china-closet is Tom like?' :
" A pepper pot," answered Ned, giving Nan a nut
Round the Fire 341
meat with a tantalizing laugh that made Tommy feel
as if he would like to bounce up like a hot chestnut
and hit somebody.
Seeing that ill-humor was getting the better of the
small supply of wit in the company, Franz cast him-
self into the breach again.
" Let 's make a law that the first person who comes
into the room shall tell us a story. No matter who it
is, he must do it, and it will be fun to see who comes
first"
The others agreed, and did not have to wait long,
for a heavy step soon came clumping through the
hall, and Silas appeared, bearing an armful of wood.
He was greeted by a general shout, and stood staring
about him with a bewildered grin on his big red face,
till Franz explained the joke.
" Sho ! I can't tell a story," he said, putting down
his load and preparing to leave the room. But the
boys fell upon him, forced him into a seat, and held
him there, laughing and clamoring for their story, till
the good-natured giant was overpowered.
" I don't know but jest one story, and that 's about
a horse," he said, much flattered by the reception he
received.
" Tell it ! tell it ! " cried the boys.
" Wai," began Silas, tipping his chair back against
the wall, and putting his thumbs in the arm-holes of
his waistcoat, " I jined a cavalry regiment durin' the
war, and see a consid'able amount of fightin'. My
horse, Major, was a fust-rate animal, and I was as
fond on him as ef he 'd ben a human critter. He
war n't harnsome, but he was the best-tempered,
stiddyest, lovenest brute I ever see. The fust battle
342 Little Men
we went into, he gave me a lesson that I did n't forgit
in a hurry, and I '11 tell you how it was. It ain't no
use tryin' to picter the noise and hurry, and general
horridness of a battle to you young fellers, for I ain't
no words to do it in ; but I 'm free to confess that I
got so sort of confused and upset at the fust on it,
that I did n't know what I was about. We was
ordered to charge, and went ahead like good ones,
never stoppin' to pick up them that went down in the
scrimmage. I got a shot in the arm, and was pitched
out of the saddle don't know how, but there I was
left behind with two or three others, dead and
wounded, for the rest went on, as I say. Wai, I
picked myself up and looked round for Major, feel-
ing as ef I 'd had about enough for that spell. I
did n't see him nowhere, and was kinder walking
back to camp, when I heard a whinny that sounded
nateral. I looked round, and there was Major stop-
ping for me a long way off, and lookin' as ef he
did n't understand why I was loiterin' behind. I
whistled, and he trotted up to me as I 'd trained
him to do. I mounted as well as I could with my
left arm bleedin* and was for going on to camp, for I
declare I felt as sick and wimbly as a woman ; folks
often do in their fust battle. But, no, sir ! Major
was the bravest of the two, and he would n't go, not
a peg; he jest rared up, and danced, and snorted,
and acted as ef the smell of powder and the noise
had drove him half wild. I done my best, but he
would n't give in, so I did ; and what do you think
that plucky brute done? He wheeled slap round,
and galloped back like a hurricane, right into the
thickest of the scrimmage ! '
Round the Fire 343
" Good for him ! " cried Dan excitedly, while the
other boys forgot apples and nuts in their interest.
" I wish I may die ef I war n't ashamed of myself,"
continued Silas, warming up at the recollection of
that day. " I was as mad as a hornet, and I forgot
my waound, and jest pitched in, rampagin' raound
like fury till there come a shell into the midst of us,
and in bustin' knocked a lot of us flat. I did n't
know nothin' for a spell, and when I come-to, the
fight was over jest there, and I found myself layin' by
a wall with poor Major long-side wuss wounded than
I was. My leg was broke, and I had a ball in my
shoulder, but he, poor old feller ! was all tore in the
side with a piece of that blasted shell."
" O Silas! what did you do?" cried Nan, pressing
close to him with a face full of eager sympathy and
interest.
" I dragged myself nigher, and tried to stop the
bleedin' with sech rags as I could tear off of me with
one hand. But it war n't no use, and he lay moanin'
with horrid pain, and lookin' at me with them lovin'
eyes of his, till I thought I could n't bear it. I give
him all the help I could, and when the sun got hotter
and hotter, and he began to lap out his tongue, I
tried to get to a brook that was a good piece away,
but I could n't do it, being stiff and faint, so I give it
up and fanned him with my hat. Now you listen to
this, and when you hear folks comin' down on the
rebs, you jest remember what one on 'em did, and
give him the credit of it. A poor feller in gray laid
not fur off, shot through the lungs, and dying fast.
I'd offered him my handkerchief to keep the sun off
his face, and he 'd thanked me kindly, for in sech
344 Little Men
times as that men don't stop to think on which side
they belong, but jest buckle-to and help one another.
When he see me mournin' over Major and tryin' to
ease his pain, he looked up with his face all damp
and white with sufferin', and sez he, ' There 's water
in my canteen ; take it, for it can't help me/ and he
flung it to me. I could n't have took it ef I had n't
had a little brandy in a pocket flask, and I made him
drink it. It done him good, and I felt as much set
up as if I 'd drunk it myself. It 's surprisin* the good
sech little things do folks sometimes ; ' and Silas
paused as if he felt again the comfort of that moment
when he and his enemy forgot their feud, and helped
one another like brothers.
" Tell about Major," cried the boys, impatient for
the catastrophe.
" I poured the water over his poor pantin' tongue,
and ef ever a dumb critter looked grateful, he did
then. But it war n't of much use, for the dreadful
waound kep on tormentin' him, till I could n't bear it
any longer. It was hard, but I done it in mercy, and
I know he forgive me."
" What did you do?" asked Emil, as Silas stopped
abruptly with a loud " hem," and a look in his rough
face that made Daisy go and stand by him with her
little hand on his knee.
" I shot him."
Quite a thrill went through the listeners as Silas
said that, for Major seemed a hero in their eyes, and
his tragic end roused all their sympathy.
" Yes, I shot him, and put him out of his misery.
I patted him fust, and said, ' Good-by ; ' then I laid
his head easy on the grass, give a last look into his
Round the Fire 345
lovin' eyes, and sent a bullet through his head. He
hardly stirred, I aimed so true, and when I see him
quite still, with no more moanin' and pain, I was glad,
and yet- - wal, I don't know as I need be ashamed
on 't I jest put my arms raound his neck and boo-
hooed like a great baby. Sho ! I did n't know I was
such a fool ; ' and Silas drew his sleeve across his
eyes, as much touched by Daisy's sob, as by the
memory of faithful Major.
No one spoke for a minute, because the boys
were as quick to feel the pathos of the little story as
tender-hearted Daisy, though they did not show it by
crying.
"I'd like a horse like that," said Dan, half-
aloud.
" Did the rebel man die too?" asked Nan,
anxiously.
" Not then. We laid there all day, and at night
some of our fellers came to look after the missing
ones. They nat' rally wanted to take me fust, but I
knew I could wait, and the rebel had but one chance,
maybe, so I made them carry him off right away.
He had jest strength enough to hold out his hand to
me and say, ' Thanky, comrade ! ' and them was the
last words he spoke, for he died an hour after he got
to the hospital-tent."
" How glad you must have been that you were
kind to him ! ' said Demi, who was deeply impressed
by this story.
" Wal, I did take comfort thinkin' of it, as I laid
there alone for a number of hours with my head on
Major's neck, and see the moon come up. I 'd like
to have buried the poor beast decent, but it war n't
346
Little Men
possible; so I cut off a bit of his mane, and I Ve kep
it ever sence. Want to see it, sissy? '
" Oh, yes, please," answered Daisy, wiping away her
tears to look.
Silas took out an old "wallet" as he called his
pocket-book, and produced from an inner fold a bit
of brown paper, in which was a rough lock of white
horse-hair. The children looked at it silently, as it
lay in the broad palm, and no one found any thing to
ridicule in the love Silas bore his good horse Major.
" That is a sweet story, and I like it, though it did
make me cry. Thank you very much, Si," and Daisy
helped him fold and put away his little relic ; while
Nan stuffed a handful of pop-corn into his pocket,
and the boys loudly expressed their flattering opinions
of his story, feeling that there had been two heroes
in it.
He departed, quite overcome by his honors, and
the little conspirators talked the tale over, while they
waited for their next victim. It was Mrs. Jo, who
came in to measure Nan for some new pinafores she
was making for her. They let her get well in, and
then pounced upon her, telling her the law, and de-
manding the story. Mrs. Jo was very much amused
at the new trap, and consented at once, for the sound
of the happy voices had been coming across the hall
so pleasantly that she quite longed to join them, and
forget her own anxious thoughts of Sister Meg.
" Am I the first mouse you have caught, you sly
pussies-in-boots? ' she asked, as she was conducted
to the big chair, supplied with refreshments, and
surrounded by a flock of merry-faced listeners.
They told her about Silas and his contribution,
Round the Fire 347
and she slapped her forehead in despair, for she was
quite at her wits' end, being called upon so unex-
pectedly for a bran new tale.
" What shall I tell about? " she said.
" Boys," was the general answer.
" Have a party in it," said Daisy.
" And something good to eat," added Stuffy.
" That reminds me of a story, written years ago, by
a dear old lady. I used to be very fond of it, and I
fancy you will like it, for it has both boys, and ' some-
thing good to eat ' in it."
" What is it called ? " asked Demi.
" ' The Suspected Boy/ "
Nat looked up from the nuts he was picking, and
Mrs. Jo smiled at him, guessing what was in his
mind.
" Miss Crane kept a school for boys in a quiet
little town, and a very good school it was, of the old-
fashioned sort. Six boys lived in her house, and
four or five more came in from the town. Among
those who lived with her was one named Lewis White
Lewis was not a bad boy, but rather timid, and now
and then he told a lie. One day a neighbor sent Miss
Crane a basket of gooseberries. There were not
enough to go round, so kind Miss Crane, who liked
to please her boys, went to work and made a dozen
nice little gooseberry tarts.
" I 'd like to try gooseberry tarts. I wonder if she
made them as I do my raspberry ones," said Daisy,
whose interest in cooking had lately revived.
" Hush," said Nat, tucking a plump pop-corn into
her mouth to silence her, for he felt a peculiar interest
in this tale, and thought it opened well.
348
Little Men
" When the tarts were done, Miss Crane put them
away in the best parlor closet, and said not a word
about them, for she wanted to surprise the boys at
tea-time. When the minute came and all were seated
at table, she went to get her tarts, but came back
looking much troubled, for what do you think had
happened? '
" Somebody had hooked them ! " cried Ned.
" No, there they were, but some one had stolen all
the fruit out of them by lifting up the upper crust
and then putting it down after the gooseberry had
been scraped out."
" What a mean trick ! " and Nan looked at Tommy,
as if to imply that he would do the same.
" When she told the boys her plan and showed them
the poor little patties all robbed of their sweetness,
the boys were much grieved and disappointed, and all
declared that they knew nothing about the matter.
' Perhaps the rats did it/ said Lewis, who was among
the loudest to deny any knowledge of the tarts. ' No,
rats would have nibbled crust and all, and never
lifted it up and scooped out the fruit. Hands did
that,' said Miss Crane, who was more troubled about
the lie that some one must have told than about her
lost patties. Well, they had supper and went to bed,
but in the night Miss Crane heard some one groaning,
and going to see who it was she found Lewis in great
pain. He had evidently eaten something that dis-
agreed with him, and was so sick that Miss Crane
was alarmed, and was going to send for the doctor,
when Lewis moaned out, ' It 's the gooseberries ; I ate
them, and I must tell before I die/ for the thought of
a doctor frightened him. 'If that is all, I'll give you
Round the Fire 349
an emetic and you will soon get over it,' said Miss
Crane. So Lewis had a good dose, and by morning
was quite comfortable. ' Oh, don't tell the boys ;
they will laugh at me so,' begged the invalid. Kind
Miss Crane promised not to, but Sally, the girl, told
the story, and poor Lewis had no peace for a long
time. His mates called him Old Gooseberry, and
were never tired of asking him the price of tarts."
" Served him right," said Emil.
" Badness always gets found out," added Demi,
morally.
" No, it don't," muttered Jack, who was tending
the apples with great devotion, so that he might keep
his back to the rest and account for his red face.
"Is that all?" asked Dan.
" No, that is only the first part ; the second part is
more interesting. Some time after this a peddler came
by one day and stopped to show his things to the
boys, several of whom bought pocket-combs, jew's-
harps, and various trifles of that sort. Among the
knives was a little white-handled penknife that Lewis
wanted very much, but he had spent all his pocket-
money, and no one had any to lend him. He held
the knife in his hand, admiring and longing for it,
till the man packed up his goods to go, then he
reluctantly laid it down, and the man went on his
way. The next day, however, the peddler returned
to say that he could not find that very knife, and
thought he must have left it at Miss Crane's. It was
a very nice one with a pearl handle, and he could
not afford to lose it. Every one looked, and every
one declared they knew nothing about it. ' This
young gentleman had it last, and seemed to want it
350 Little Men
very much. Are you quite sure you put it back?'
said the man to Lewis, who was much troubled at
the loss, and vowed over and over again that he did
return it. His denials seemed to do no good, how-
ever, for every one was sure he had taken it, and
after a stormy scene Miss Crane paid for it, and the
man went grumbling away."
" Did Lewis have it ? " cried Nat, much excited.
" You will see. Now poor Lewis had another
trial to bear, for the boys were constantly saying,
' Lend me your pearl-handled knife, Gooseberry,'
and things of that sort, till Lewis was so unhappy he
begged to be sent home. Miss Crane did her best
to keep the boys quiet, but it was hard work, for
they would tease, and she could not be with them all
the time. That is one of the hardest things to teach
boys ; they won't ' hit a fellow when he is down,' as
they say, but they will torment him in little ways till
he would thank them to fight it out all round."
" I know that," said Dan.
" So do I," added Nat, softly.
Jack said nothing, but he quite agreed ; for he
knew that the elder boys despised him, and let him
alone for that very reason.
" Do go on about poor Lewis, Aunt Jo. I don't
believe he took the knife, but I want to be sure,"
said Daisy, in great anxiety.
" Well, week after week went on and the matter
was not cleared up. The boys avoided Lewis, and
he, poor fellow, was almost sick with the trouble he
had brought upon himself. He resolved never to tell
another lie, and tried so hard that Miss Crane pitied
and helped him, and really came at last to believe
Round the Fire 351
that he did not take the knife. Two months after
the peddler's first visit, he came again, and the first
thing he said was
" ' Well, ma'am, I found that knife after all. It had
slipped behind the lining of my valise, and fell out
the other day when I was putting in a new stock of
goods. I thought I 'd call and let you know, as you
paid for it, and maybe would like it, so here it is.'
" The boys had all gathered round, and at these
words they felt much ashamed, and begged Lewis'
pardon so heartily that he could not refuse to give it.
Miss Crane presented the knife to him, and he kept it
many years to remind him of the fault that had
brought him so much trouble."
" I wonder why it is that things you eat on the sly
hurt you, and don't when you eat them at table,"
observed Stuffy, thoughtfully.
" Perhaps your conscience affects your stomach,"
said Mrs. Jo, smiling at his speech.
" He is thinking of the cucumbers," said Ned, and
a gale of merriment followed the words, for Stuffy's
last mishap had been a funny one.
He ate two large cucumbers in private, felt very
ill, and confided his anguish to Ned, imploring him
to do something. Ned good-naturedly recommended
a mustard plaster and a hot flat iron to the feet ; only
in applying these remedies he reversed the order of
things, and put the plaster on the feet, the flat iron
on the stomach, and poor Stuffy was found in the
barn with blistered soles and a scorched jacket.
" Suppose you tell another story, that was such an
interesting one," said Nat, as the laughter subsided.
Before Mrs. Jo could refuse these insatiable Oliver
352 Little Men
Twists, Rob walked into the room trailing his little
bed-cover after him, and wearing an expression of
great sweetness as he said, steering straight to his
mother as a sure haven of refuge,
" I heard a great noise, and I thought sumfin
dreffle might have happened, so I came to see."
" Did you think I would forget you, naughty
boy? " asked his mother, trying to look stern.
" No ; but I thought you 'd feel better to see me
right here," responded the insinuating little party.
" I had much rather see you in bed, so march
straight up again, Robin."
" Everybody that comes in here has to tell a story,
and you can't, so you 'd better cut and run," said
Emil.
" Yes, I can ! I tell Teddy lots of ones, all about
bears and moons, and little flies that say things when
they buzz," protested Rob, bound to stay at any
price.
" Tell one now, then, right away," said Dan, pre-
paring to shoulder and bear him off.
" Well, I will ; let me fink a minute," and Rob
climbed into his mother's lap, where he was cuddled,
with the remark
" It is a family failing, this getting out of bed at
wrong times. Demi used to do it ; and as for me, I
was hopping in and out all night long. Meg used to
think the house was on fire, and send me down to see,
and I used to stay and enjoy myself, as you mean to,
my bad son."
" I Ve finked now," observed Rob, quite at his
ease, and eager to win the entree into this delightful
circle.
Round the Fire 353
Every one looked and listened with faces full of
suppressed merriment as Rob, perched on his mother's
knee and wrapped in the gay coverlet, told the follow-
ing brief but tragic tale with an earnestness that made
it very funny :
" Once a lady had a million children, and one nice
little boy. She went tip-stairs and said, ' You must n't
go in the yard.' But he wented, and fell into the
pump, and was drowned dead."
" Is that all?" asked Franz, as Rob paused out of
breath with this startling beginning.
" No, there is another piece of it," and Rob knit
his downy eyebrows in the effort to evolve another
inspiration.
" What did the lady do when he fell into the
pump?' asked his mother, to help him on.
" Oh, she pumped him up, and wrapped him in a
newspaper, and put him on a shelf to dry for seed."
A general explosion of laughter greeted this sur-
prising conclusion, and Mrs. Jo patted the curly head,
as she said, solemnly,
" My son, you inherit your mother's gift of story-
telling. Go where glory waits thee."
"Now I can stay, can't I? Wasn't it a good
story?' cried Rob, in high feather at his superb
success.
" You can stay till you have eaten these twelve
pop-corns," said his mother, expecting to see them
vanish at one mouthful.
But Rob was a shrewd little man, and got the
better of her by eating them one by one very slowly,
and enjoying every minute with all his might.
" Had n't you better tell the other story, while you
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354 Little Men
wait for him?' said Demi, anxious that no time
should be lost.
" I really have nothing but a little tale about a
wood-box," said Mrs. Jo, seeing that Rob had still
seven corns to eat.
" Is there a boy in it? "
" It is all boy."
" Is it true? " asked Demi.
" Every bit of it."
" Goody ! tell on, please."
" James Snow and his mother lived in a little
house, up in New Hampshire. They were poor, and
James had to work to help his mother, but he loved
books so well he hated work, and just wanted to sit
and study all day long."
" How could he ! I hate books, and like work,"
said Dan, objecting to James at the very outset.
" It takes all sorts of people to make a world ;
workers and students both are needed, and there is
room for all. But I think the workers should study
some, and the students should know how to work if
necessary," answered Mrs. Jo, looking from Dan to
Demi with a significant expression.
" I 'm sure I do work," and Demi showed three
small hard spots in his little palm, with pride.
"And I'm sure I study," added Dan, nodding with
a groan toward the blackboard full of neat figures.
" See what James did. He did not mean to be
selfish, but his mother was proud of him, and let him
do as he liked, working away by herself that he
might have books and time to read them. One
autumn James wanted to go to school, and went to
the minister to see if he would help him, about
Round the Fire 355
decent clothes and books. Now the minister had
heard the gossip about James's idleness, and was not
inclined to do much for him, thinking that a boy who
neglected his mother, and let her slave for him, was
not likely to do very well even at school. But the
good man felt more interested when he found how
earnest James was, and being rather an odd man, he
made this proposal to the boy, to try how sincere
he was.
" ' I will give you clothes and books on one con-
dition, James.'
"'What is that, sir?' and the boy brightened up
at once.
" ' You are to keep your mother's wood-box full all
winter long, and do it yourself. If you fail, school
stops.' James laughed at the queer condition and
readily agreed to it, thinking it a very easy one.
" He began school, and for a time got on capitally
with the wood-box, for it was autumn, and chips and
brush-wood were plentiful. He ran out morning and
evening and got a basket full, or chopped up the cat
sticks for the little cooking stove, and as his mother
was careful and saving, the task was not hard. But
in November the frost came, the days were dull and
cold, and wood went fast. His mother bought a
load with her own earnings, but it seemed to melt
away, and was nearly gone, before James remembered
that he was to get the next. Mrs. Snow was feeble
and lame with rheumatism, and unable to work as
she had done, so James had to put down his books,
and see what he could do.
" It was hard, for he was going on well, and so
interested in his lessons that he hated to stop except
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Little Men
for food and sleep. But he knew the minister would
keep his word, and much against his will James set
about earning money in his spare hours, lest the
wood-box should get empty. He did all sorts of
things, ran errands, took care of a neighbor's cow,
helped the old sexton dust and warm the church on
Sundays, and in these ways got enough to buy fuel
in small quantities. But it was hard work ; the days
were short, the winter was bitterly cold, the precious
time went fast, and the dear books were so fascinating,
that it was sad to leave them, for dull duties that
never seemed done.
" The minister watched him quietly, and seeing
that he was in earnest helped him without his knowl-
edge. He met him often driving the wood sleds
from the forest, where the men were chopping, and
as James plodded beside the slow oxen, he read or
studied, anxious to use every minute. ' The boy is
worth helping, this lesson will do him good, and
when he has learned it, I will give him an easier one,'
said the minister to himself, and on Christmas eve a
splendid load of wood was quietly dropped at the
door of the little house, with a new saw and a bit of
paper, saying only
" ' The Lord helps those who help themselves.'
" Poor James expected nothing, but when he woke
on that cold Christmas morning, he found a pair of
warm mittens, knit by his mother, with her stiff pain-
ful fingers. This gift pleased him very much, but
her kiss and tender look as she called him her ' good
son,' was better still. In trying to keep her warm,
he had warmed his own heart, you see, and in filling
the wood-box he had also filled those months with
Round the Fire 357
duties faithfully done. He began to see this, to feel
that there was something better than books, and to
try to learn the lessons God set him, as well as those
his school-master gave.
" When he saw the great pile of oak and pine logs
at his door, and read the little paper, he knew who
sent it, and understood the minister's plan ; thanked
him for it, and fell to work with all his might. Other
boys frolicked that day, but James sawed wood, and
I think of all the lads in the town the happiest was
the one in the new mittens, who whistled like a black-
bird as he filled his mother's wood-box."
" That's a first rater ! ' cried Dan, who enjoyed a
simple matter-of-fact story better than the finest fairy
tale ; " I like that fellow after all."
" I could saw wood for you, Aunt Jo ! ' said Demi,
feeling as if a new means of earning money for his
mother was suggested by the story.
" Tell about a bad boy. I like them best," said Nan.
" You 'd better tell about a naughty cross-patch of
a girl," said Tommy, whose evening had been spoilt
by Nan's unkindness. It made his apple taste bitter,
his pop-corn was insipid, his nuts were hard to crack,
and the sight of Ned and Nan on one bench made
him feel his life a burden.
But there were no more stories from Mrs. Jo, for
on looking down at Rob he was discovered to be fast
asleep with his last corn firmly clasped in his chubby
hand. Bundling him up in his coverlet, his mother
carried him away and tucked him up with no fear of
his popping out again.
"Now let's see who will come next," said Emil,
setting the door temptingly ajar.
358
Little Men
Mary Ann passed first, and he called out to her,
but Silas had warned her, and she only laughed and
hurried on in spite of their enticements. Presently a
door opened, and a strong voice was heard humming
in the hall
" Ich weiss nicht was soil es bedeuten
Dass ich so traurig bin. n
" It 's Uncle Fritz ; all laugh loud and he will be
sure to come in," said Emil.
A wild burst of laughter followed, and in came
Uncle Fritz, asking, " What is the joke, my lads? "
"Caught! caught! you can't go out till you've
told a story," cried the boys, slamming the door.
" So ! that is the joke then? Well, I have no wish
to go, it is so pleasant here, and I pay my forfeit at
once/' which he did by sitting down and beginning
instantly
" A long time ago your Grandfather, Demi, went to
lecture in a great town, hoping to get some money
for a home for little orphans that some good people
were getting up. His lecture did well, and he put a
considerable sum of money in his pocket, feeling very
happy about it. As he was driving in a chaise to
another town, he came to a lonely bit of road, late in
the afternoon, and was just thinking what a good
place it was for robbers when he saw a bad-looking
man come out of the woods in front of him and go
slowly along as if waiting till he came up. The
thought of the money made Grandfather rather
anxious, and at first he had a mind to turn round and
drive away. But the horse was tired, and then he
did not like to suspect the man, so he kept on, and
Round the Fire 359
when he got nearer and saw how poor and sick and
ragged the stranger looked, his heart reproached him,
and stopping, he said in his kind voice
" ' My friend, you look tired ; let me give you a
lift.' The man seemed surprised, hesitated a minute,
and then got in. He did not seem inclined to talk,
but Grandfather kept on in his wise, cheerful way,
speaking of what a hard year it had been, how much
the poor had suffered, and how difficult it was to get
on sometimes. The man slowly softened a little, and,
won by the kind chat, told his story. How he had
been sick, could get no work, had a family of chil-
dren, and was almost in despair. Grandfather was so
full of pity that he forgot his fear, and, asking the
man his name, said he would try and get him work in
the next town, as he had friends there. Wishing to
get at pencil and paper, to write down the address,
Grandfather took out his plump pocket-book, and the
minute he did so, the man's eye was on it. Then
Grandfather remembered what was in it and trembled
for his money, but said quietly
" ' Yes, I have a little sum here for some poor
orphans. I wish it was my own, I would so gladly
give you some of it. I am not rich, but I know many
of the trials of the poor ; this five dollars is mine, and
I want to give it to you for your children.'
" The hard, hungry look in the man's eyes changed
to a grateful one as he took the small sum, freely
given, and left the orphans' money untouched. He
rode on with Grandfather till they approached the
town, then he asked to be set down. Grandpa shook
hands with him, and was about to drive on, when the
man said, as if something made him, 'I was desper-
360
Little Men
ate when we met, and I meant to rob you, but you
were so kind I could n't do it. God bless you, sir, for
keeping me from it ! '
" Did Grandpa ever see him again? ' asked Daisy,
eagerly.
" No ; but I believe the man found work, and did
not try robbery any more."
" That was a curious way to treat him ; I 'd have
knocked him down," said Dan.
" Kindness is always better than force. Try it and
see," answered Mr. Bhaer, rising.
" Tell another, please," cried Daisy.
" You must, Aunt Jo did," added Demi.
" Then I certainly won't, but keep my others for
next time. Too many tales are as bad as too many
bonbons. I have paid my forfeit and I go," and Mr.
Bhaer ran for his life, with the whole flock in full
pursuit. He had the start, however, and escaped
safely into his study, leaving the boys to go rioting
back again.
They were so stirred up by the race that they
could not settle to their former quiet, and a lively
game of Blindman's Buff followed, in which Tommy
showed that he had taken the moral of the last story
to heart, for, when he caught Nan, he whispered in
her ear, " I 'm sorry I called you a cross-patch."
Nan was not to be outdone in kindness, so, when
they played " Button, button, who 's got the button? '
and it was her turn to go round, she said, " Hold fast
all I give you," with such a friendly smile at Tommy,
that he was not surprised to find the horse-hair ring
in his hand instead of the button. He only smiled
back at her then, but when they were going to bed,
Round the Fire 361
he offered Nan the best bite of his last apple ; she
saw the ring on his stumpy little finger, accepted the
bite, and peace was declared. Both were sorry for
the temporary coldness, neither was ashamed to say,
" I was wrong, forgive me," so the childish friendship
remained unbroken, and the home in the willow
lasted long, a pleasant little castle in the air.
CHAPTER XXI
THANKSGIVING
THIS yearly festival was always kept at Plum-
field in the good old-fashioned way, and
nothing was allowed to interfere with it.
For days beforehand, the little girls helped
Asia and Mrs. Jo in store-room and kitchen, making
pies and puddings, sorting fruit, dusting dishes, and
being very busy and immensely important. The boys
hovered on the outskirts of the forbidden ground,
sniffing the savory odors, peeping in at the mys-
terious performances, and occasionally being per-
mitted to taste some delicacy in the process of
preparation.
Something more than usual seemed to be on foot
this year, for the girls were as busy up-stairs as down,
so were the boys in school-room and barn, and a
general air of bustle pervaded the house. There was
a great hunting up of old ribbons and finery, much
cutting and pasting of gold paper, and the most
remarkable quantity of straw, gray cotton, flannel,
and big black beads, used by Franz and Mrs. Jo.
Ned hammered at strange machines in the workshop,
Demi and Tommy went about murmuring to them-
selves as if learning something. A fearful racket was
heard in Emil's room at intervals, and peals of
Thanksgiving 363
laughter from the nursery when Rob and Teddy
were sent for and hidden from sight whole hours at a
time. But the thing that puzzled Mr. Bhaer the
most was what became of Rob's big pumpkin. It
had been borne in triumph to the kitchen, where a
dozen golden-tinted pies soon after appeared. It
would not have taken more than a quarter of the
mammoth vegetable to make them, yet where was
the rest? It disappeared, and Rob never seemed to
care, only chuckled, when it was mentioned, and told
his father, " To wait and see," for the fun of the
whole thing was to surprise Father Bhaer at the end,
and not let him know a bit about what was to
happen.
He obediently shut eyes, ears, and mouth, and
went about trying not to see what was in plain sight,
not to hear the tell-tale sounds that filled the air, not
to understand any of the perfectly transparent mys-
teries going on all about him. Being a German, he
loved these simple domestic festivals, and encour-
aged them with all his heart, for they made home so
pleasant that the boys did not care to go elsewhere
for fun.
When at last the day came, the boys went off for a
long walk, that they might have good appetites for
dinner; as if they ever needed them! The girls
remained at home to help set the table, and give last
touches to various affairs which filled their busy little
souls with anxiety. The school-room had been shut
up since the night before, and Mr. Bhaer was for-
bidden to enter it on pain of a beating from Teddy,
who guarded the door like a small dragon, though he
was dying to tell about it, and nothing but his father's
3 6 4
Little Men
heroic self-denial in not listening, kept him from be-
traying the grand secret.
"It's all done, and it's perfectly splendid," cried
Nan, coming out at last with an air of triumph.
" The you know goes beautifully, and Silas
knows just what to do now," added Daisy, skipping
with delight at some unspeakable success.
" I 'm blest if it ain't the 'cutest thing I ever see,
them critters in particular," and Silas, who had been
let into the secret, went off laughing like a great
boy.
"They are coming; I hear Emil roaring 'Land
lubbers lying down below,' so we must run and
dress," cried Nan, and up-stairs they scampered in a
great hurry.
The boys came trooping home with appetites that
would have made the big turkey tremble, if it had
not been past all fear. They also retired to dress ;
and for half-an-hour there was a washing, brushing,
and prinking that would have done any tidy woman's
heart good to see. When the bell rang, a troop of
fresh-faced lads with shiny hair, clean collars, and
Sunday jackets on, filed into the dining-room, where
Mrs. Jo, in her one black silk, with a knot of her
favorite white chrysanthemums in her bosom, sat at
the head of the table, " looking splendid," as the
boys said, whenever she got herself up. Daisy and
Nan were as gay as a posy bed in their new winter
dresses, with bright sashes and hair ribbons. Teddy
was gorgeous to behold in a crimson merino blouse,
and his best button boots, which absorbed and dis-
tracted him as much as Mr. Toot's wristbands did on
one occasion.
Thanksgiving 365
As Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer glanced at each other
down the long table, with those rows of happy faces
on either side, they had a little thanksgiving, all to
themselves, and without a word, for one heart said to
the other, - -" Our work has prospered, let us be
grateful and go on."
The clatter of knives and forks prevented much
conversation for a few minutes, and Mary Ann with
an amazing pink bow in her hair " flew round '
briskly, handing plates and ladling out gravy.
Nearly every one had contributed to the feast, so the
dinner was a peculiarly interesting one to the eaters
of it, who beguiled the pauses by remarks on their
own productions.
"If these are not good potatoes I never saw any,"
observed Jack, as he received his fourth big mealy
one.
" Some of my herbs are in the stuffing of the
turkey, that 's why it 's so nice," said Nan, taking a
mouthful with intense satisfaction.
" My ducks are prime any way ; Asia said she
never cooked such fat ones," added Tommy.
*' Well, our carrots are beautiful, ain't they, and
our parsnips will be ever so good when we dig them,"
put in Dick, and Dolly murmured his assent from
behind the bone he was picking.
" I helped make the pies with my pumpkin,"
called out Robby, with a laugh which he stopped by
retiring into his mug.
" I picked some of the apples that the cider is
made of," said Demi.
" I raked the cranberries for the sauce," cried
Nat.
3 66
Little Men
" I got the nuts," added Dan, and so it went on all
round the table.
"Who made up Thanksgiving?' 1 asked Rob, for
being lately promoted to jacket and trousers he felt
a new and manly interest in the institutions of his
country.
" See who can answer that question," and Mr. Bhaer
nodded to one or two of his best history boys.
" I know," said Demi, " the Pilgrims made it."
"What for?' asked Rob, without waiting to learn
who the Pilgrims were.
" I forget," and Demi subsided.
" I believe it was because they were not starved once,
and so when they had a good harvest, they said, ' We
will thank God for it,' and they had a day and called
it Thanksgiving," said Dan, who liked the story of the
brave men who suffered so nobly for their faith.
" Good ! I did n't think you would remember any
thing but natural history," and Mr. Bhaer tapped
gently on the table as applause for his pupil.
Dan looked pleased ; and Mrs. Jo said to her son,
" Now do you understand about it, Robby ? '
" No, I don't. I thought pil-grins were a sort of
big bird that lived on rocks, and I saw pictures of
them in Demi's book."
" He means penguins. Oh, is n't he a little goosey ! "
and Demi laid back in his chair and laughed aloud.
" Don't laugh at him, but tell him all about it if you
can," said Mrs. Bhaer, consoling Rob with more cran-
berry sauce for the general smile that went round the
table at his mistake.
"Well, I will;' and, after a pause to collect his
ideas, Demi delivered the following sketch of the
Thanksgiving 367
Pilgrim Fathers, which would have made even those
grave gentlemen smile if they could have heard it.
" You see, Rob, some of the people in England
did n't like the king, or something, so they got into
ships and sailed away to this country. It was all full
of Indians, and bears, and wild creatures, and they
lived in forts, and had a dreadful time."
" The bears ? " asked Robby, with interest.
" No ; the Pilgrims, because the Indians troubled
them. They had n't enough to eat, and they went to
church with guns, and ever so many died, and they
got out of the ships on a rock, and it 's called Ply-
mouth Rock, and Aunt Jo saw it and touched it. The
Pilgrims killed all the Indians, and got rich ; and hung
the witches, and were very good ; and some of my
greatest great-grandpas came in the ships. One was
the Mayflower; and they made Thanksgiving, and
we have it always, and I like it. Some more turkey,
please."
" I think Demi will be an historian, there is such
order and clearness in his account of events ; ' and
Uncle Fritz's eyes laughed at Aunt Jo, as he helped
the descendant of the Pilgrims to his third bit of turkey.
" I thought you must eat as much as ever you could
on Thanksgiving. But Franz says you must n't even
then ; ' and Stuffy looked as if he had received bad
news.
" Franz is right, so mind your knife and fork, and
be moderate, or else you won't be able to help in the
surprise by and by," said Mrs. Jo.
"I'll be careful; but everybody does eat lots, and
I like it better than being moderate," said Stuffy, who
leaned to the popular belief that Thanksgiving must
3 68
Little Men
be kept by coming as near apoplexy as possible, and
escaping with merely a fit of indigestion or a headache.
" Now, my ' pilgrims' amuse yourselves quietly till
tea-time, for you will have enough excitement this
evening," said Mrs. Jo, as they rose from the table
after a protracted sitting, finished by drinking every
one's health in cider.
" I think I will take the whole flock for a drive, it is
so pleasant ; then you can rest, my dear, or you will
be worn out this evening," added Mr. Bhaer; and as
soon as coats and hats could be put on, the great
omnibus was packed full, and away they went for a
long gay drive, leaving Mrs. Jo to rest and finish sun-
dry small affairs in peace.
An early and light tea was followed by more brush-
ing of hair and washing of hands ; then the flock
waited impatiently for the company to come. Only
the family was expected ; for these small revels were
strictly domestic, and such being the case, sorrow
was not allowed to sadden the present festival. All
came ; Mr. and Mrs. March, with Aunt Meg, so sweet
and lovely, in spite of her black dress and the little
widow's cap that encircled her tranquil face. Uncle
Teddy and Aunt Amy, with the Princess looking
more fairy-like than ever, in a sky-blue gown, and a
great bouquet of hot-house flowers, which she divided
among the boys, sticking one in each button-hole,
making them feel peculiarly elegant and festive. One
strange face appeared, and Uncle Teddy led the un-
known gentleman up to the Bhaers, saying -
" This is Mr. Hyde ; he has been inquiring about
Dan, and I ventured to bring him to-night, that he
might see how much the boy has improved."
Thanksgiving 369
The Bhaers received him cordially, for Dan's sake,
pleased that the lad had been remembered. But, after
a few minutes' chat, they were glad to know Mr. Hyde
for his own sake, so genial, simple, and interesting
was he. It was pleasant to see the boy's face light
up when he caught sight of his friend ; pleasanter still
to see Mr. Hyde's surprise and satisfaction in Dan's
improved manners and appearance, and pleasantest
of all to watch the two sit talking in a corner, forget-
ting the differences of age, culture, and position, in the
one subject which interested both, as man and boy
compared notes, and told the story of their summer
life.
" The performances must begin soon, or the actors
will go to sleep," said Mrs. Jo, when the first greetings
were over.
So every one went into the school-room, and took
seats before a curtain made of two big bed-covers.
The children had already vanished ; but stifled laugh-
ter, and funny little exclamations from behind the
curtain, betrayed their whereabouts. The enter-
tainment began with a spirited exhibition of gym-
nastics, led by Franz. The six elder lads, in blue
trousers and red shirts, made a fine display of muscle
with dumb-bells, clubs, and weights, keeping time to
the music of the piano, played by Mrs. Jo behind the
scenes. Dan was so energetic in this exercise, that
there was some danger of his knocking down his
neighbors, like so many nine-pins, or sending his
bean-bags whizzing among the audience ; for he was
excited by Mr. Hyde's presence, and a burning desire
to do honor to his teachers.
" A fine, strong lad. If I go on my trip to South
24
370 Little Men
America, in a year or two, I shall be tempted to ask
you to lend him to me, Mr. Bhaer," said Mr. Hyde,
whose interest in Dan was much increased by the
report he had just heard of him.
" You shall have him, and welcome, though we
shall miss our young Hercules very much. It would
do him a world of good, and I am sure he would
serve his friend faithfully."
Dan heard both question and answer, and his
heart leaped with joy at the thought of travelling in a
new country with Mr. Hyde, and swelled with grati-
tude for the kindly commendation which rewarded
his efforts to be all these friends desired to see him.
After the gymnastics, Demi and Tommy spoke the
old school dialogue, " Money makes the mare go."
Demi did very well, but Tommy was capital as the
old farmer ; for he imitated Silas in a way that con-
vulsed the audience, and caused Silas himself to laugh
so hard that Asia had to slap him on the back, as
they stood in the hall enjoying the fun immensely.
Then Emil, who had got his breath by this time,
gave them a sea-song in costume, with a great deal
about " stormy winds," " lee shores," and a rousing
chorus of " Luff, boys, luff," which made the room
ring ; after which Ned performed a funny Chinese
dance, and hopped about like a large frog in a
pagoda hat. As this was the only public exhibition
ever had at Plumneld, a few exercises in lightning-
arithmetic, spelling, and reading were given. Jack
quite amazed the public by his rapid calculations on
the blackboard. Tommy won in the spelling match,
and Demi read a little French fable so well that Uncle
Teddy was charmed.
Thanksgiving 371
"Where are the other children?" asked every one
as the curtain fell, and none of the little ones ap-
peared.
" Oh, that is the surprise. It 's so lovely, I pity
you because you don't know it," said Demi, who had
gone to get his mother's kiss, and stayed by her to
explain the mystery when it should be revealed.
Goldilocks had been carried off by Aunt Jo, to the
great amazement of her papa, who quite outdid Mr.
Bhaer in acting wonder, suspense, and wild impatience
to know " what was going to happen."
At last, after iruch rustling, hammering, and very
audible directions from the stage manager, the cur-
tain rose to soft music, and Bess was discovered sit-
ting on a stool beside a brown paper fire-place. A
dearer little Cinderella was never seen ; for the gray
gown was very ragged, the tiny shoes all worn, the
face so pretty under the bright hair, and the attitude
so dejected, it brought tears, as well as smiles, to the
fond eyes looking at the baby actress. She sat quite
still, till a voice whispered, " Now ! ' - then she
sighed a funny little sigh, and said, " Oh, I wish I
tood go to the ball ! ' so naturally, that her father
clapped frantically, and her mother called out, " Little
darling ! ' These highly improper expressions of
feeling caused Cinderella to forget herself, and shake
her head at them, saying, reprovingly, " You must n't
'peak to me."
Silence instantly prevailed, and three taps were
heard on the wall. Cinderella looked alarmed, but
before she could remember to say, "What is dat?'
the back of the brown paper fire-place opened like a
door, and, with some difficulty, the fairy godmother
372 Little Men
got herself and her pointed hat through. It was Nan,
in a red cloak, a cap, and a wand, which she waved
as she said decidedly,
" You shall go to the ball, my dear."
" Now you must pull and show my pretty dess,"
returned Cinderella, tugging at her brown gown.
" No, no ; you must say, ' How can I go in my
rags?' ' said the godmother in her own voice.
" Oh yes, so I mus ; ' and the Princess said it,
quite undisturbed at her forgetfulness.
" I change your rags into a splendid dress, because
you are good," said the godmother in her stage
tones ; and deliberately unbuttoning the brown pina-
fore, she displayed a gorgeous sight.
The little Princess really was pretty enough to
turn the heads of any number of small princes, for
her mamma had dressed her like a tiny court lady, in
a rosy silk train with satin under-skirt, and bits of
bouquets here and there, quite lovely to behold. The
godmother put a crown, with pink and white feathers
drooping from it, on her head, and gave her a pair of
silver paper Clippers, which she put on, and then
stood up, lifting her skirts to show them to the audi-
ence, saying, with pride, ' My dlass ones, ain't they
pitty?"
She was so charmed with them, that she was with
difficulty recalled to her part, and made to say -
" But I have no toach, Dodmother."
" Behold it ! " and Nan waved her wand with such a
flourish, that she nearly knocked off the crown of the
Princess.
Then appeared the grand triumph of the piece.
First, a rope was seen to flap on the floor, to tighten
t >
Thanksgiving 373
with a twitch as Emil's voice was heard to say,
Heave, ahoy ! ' and Silas's gruff one to reply,
Stiddy, now, stiddy ! ' A shout of laughter followed,
for four large gray rats appeared, rather shaky as to
their legs and queer as to their tails, but quite fine
about the head, where black beads shone in the most
lifelike manner. They drew, or were intended to
appear as if they did, a magnificent coach made of
half the mammoth pumpkin, mounted on the wheels
of Teddy's wagon, painted yellow to match the gay
carriage. Perched on a seat in front sat a jolly little
coachman in a white cotton-wool wig, cocked hat,
scarlet breeches, and laced coat, who cracked a long
whip and jerked the red reins so energetically, that
the gray steeds reared finely. It was Teddy, and he
beamed upon the company so affably that they gave
him a round all to himself; and Uncle Laurie said,
" If I could find as sober a coachman as that one, I
would engage him on the spot." The coach stopped,
the godmother lifted in the Princess, and she was
trundled away in state, kissing her hand to the public,
with her glass shoes sticking up in front, and her
pink train sweeping the ground behind, for, elegant
as the coach was, I regret to say that her Highness
was rather a tight fit.
The next scene was the ball, and here Nan and
Daisy appeared as gay as peacocks in all sorts of
finery. Nan was especially good as the proud sister,
and crushed many imaginary ladies as she swept about
the palace-hall. The Prince, in solitary state upon a
somewhat unsteady throne, sat gazing about him from
under an imposing crown, as he played with his
sword and admired the rosettes in his shoes. When
374 Little Men
Cinderella came in he jumped up, and exclaimed,
with more warmth than elegance,
" My gracious ! who is that?" and immediately led
the lady out to dance, while the sisters scowled and
turned up their noses in the corner.
The stately jig executed by the little couple was
very pretty, for the childish faces were so earnest, the
costumes so gay, and the steps so peculiar, that they
looked like the dainty quaint figures painted on a
Watteau fan. The Princess's train was very much in
her way, and the sword of Prince Rob nearly tripped
him up several times. But they overcame these
obstacles remarkably well, and finished the dance
with much grace and spirit, considering that neither
knew what the other was about.
" Drop your shoe," whispered Mrs. Jo's voice as
the lady was about to sit down.
" Oh, I fordot! " and, taking off one of the silvery
slippers, Cinderella planted it carefully in. the middle
of the stage, said to Rob, " Now you must try and
tatch me," and ran away, while the Prince, picking
up the shoe, obediently trotted after her.
The third scene, as everybody knows, is where the
herald comes to try on the shoe. Teddy, still in
coachman's dress, came in blowing a tin fish-horn
melodiously, and the proud sisters each tried to put
on the slipper. Nan insisted on playing cut off her
toe with a carving-knife, and performed that opera-
tion so well that the herald was alarmed, and begged
to be "welly keerful." Cinderella then was called,
and came in with the pinafore half on, slipped her foot
into the slipper, and announced, with satisfaction,
" I am the Pinsiss."
Thanksgiving 375
Daisy wept, and begged pardon ; but Nan, who
liked tragedy, improved upon the story, and fell in a
fainting-fit upon the floor, where she remained com-
fortably enjoying the rest of the play. It was not
long, for the Prince ran in, dropped upon his knees,
and kissed the hand of Goldilocks with great ardor,
while the herald blew a blast that nearly deafened
the audience. The curtain had no chance to fall, for
the Princess ran off the stage to her father, crying,
"Didn't I do it well?" while the Prince and herald
had a fencing-match with the tin horn and wooden
sword.
" It was beautiful ! " said every one ; and, when the
raptures had a little subsided, Nat came out with his
violin in his hand.
" Hush ! hush ! " cried all the children, and silence
followed, for something in the boy's bashful manner
and appealing eyes made every one listen kindly.
The Bhaers thought he would play some of the old
airs he knew so well, but, to their surprise, they
heard a new and lovely melody, so softly, sweetly
played, that they could hardly believe it could be
Nat. It was one of those songs without words that
touch the heart, and sing of all tender home-like
hopes and joys, soothing and cheering those who
listen to its simple music. Aunt Meg leaned her
head on Demi's shoulder, Grandmother wiped her
eyes, and Mrs. Jo looked up at Mr. Laurie, saying,
in a choky whisper, -
" You composed that."
" I wanted your boy to do you honor, and thank
you in his own way," answered Laurie, leaning down
to answer her.
376
Little Men
When Nat made his bow and was about to go, he
was called back by many hands, and had to play
again. He did so with such a happy face, that it was
good to see him, for he did his best, and gave them
the gay old tunes that set the feet to dancing, and
made quietude impossible.
" Clear the floor ! ' cried Emil ; and in a minute
the chairs were pushed back, the older people put
safely in corners, and the children gathered on the
stage.
" Show your manners ! " called Emil ; and the boys
pranced up to the ladies, old and young, with polite in-
vitations to " tread the mazy," as dear Dick Swiveller
has it. The small lads nearly came to blows for the
Princess, but she chose Dick, like a kind, little gentle-
woman as she was, and let him lead her proudly to
her place. Mrs. Jo was not allowed to decline ; and
Aunt Amy filled Dan with unspeakable delight by
refusing Franz and taking him. Of course Nan and
Tommy, Nat and Daisy, paired off, while Uncle
Teddy went and got Asia, who was longing to " jig
it," and felt much elated by the honor done her.
Silas and Mary Ann had a private dance in the hall ;
and for half-an-hour Plumfield was at its merriest.
The party wound up with a grand promenade of all
the young folks, headed by the pumpkin-coach with
the Princess and driver inside, and the rats in a
wildly frisky state.
While the children enjoyed this final frolic, the
elders sat in the parlor looking on as they talked to-
gether of the little people with the interest of parents
and friends.
" What are you thinking of, all by yourself, with
Thanksgiving 377
such a happy face, sister Jo?' asked Laurie, sitting
down beside her on the sofa.
" My summer's work, Teddy, and amusing myself
by imagining the future of my boys," she answered,
smiling, as she made room for him.
" They are all to be poets, painters, and statesmen, fa-
mous soldiers, or at least merchant princes, I suppose."
" No, I am not as aspiring as I once was, and I shall
be satisfied if they are honest men. But I will con-
fess that I do expect a little glory and a career for some
of them. Demi is not a common child, and I think
he will blossom into something good and great in the
best sense of the word. The others will do well, I
hope, especially my last two boys, for, after hearing
Nat play to-night, I really think he has genius."
"Too soon to say; talent he certainly has, and
there is no doubt that the boy can soon earn his
bread by the work he loves. Build him up for
another year or so, and then I will take him off your
hands, and launch him properly."
"That is such a pleasant prospect for poor Nat,
who came to me six months ago so friendless and
forlorn. Dan's future is already plain to me. Mr.
Hyde will want him soon, and I mean to give him a
brave and faithful little servant. Dan is one who can
serve well if the wages are love and confidence, and
he has the energy to carve out his own future in his
own way. Yes, I am very happy over our success
with these boys one so weak, and one so wild; both
so much better now, and so full of promise."
" What magic did you use, Jo?' 1
" I only loved them, and let them see it. Fritz
did the rest."
Little Men
" Dear soul ! you look as if ' only loving' had been
rather hard work sometimes," said Laurie, stroking
her thin cheek with a look of more tender admiration
than he had ever given her as a girl.
" I 'm a faded old woman, but I 'm a very happy
one ; so don't pity me, Teddy ; ' and she glanced
about the room with eyes full of a sincere content.
" Yes, your plan seems to work better and better
every year," he said, with an emphatic nod of approval
toward the cheery scene before him.
" How can it fail to work well when I have so much
help from you all?" answered Mrs. Jo, looking grate-
fully at her most generous patron.
" It is the best joke of the family, this school of
yours and its success. So unlike the future we planned
for you, and yet so suited to you after all. It was a
regular inspiration, Jo," said Laurie, dodging her
thanks as usual.
" Ah ! but you laughed at it in the beginning, and
still make all manner of fun of me and my inspira-
tions. Did n't you predict that having girls with the
boys would prove a dead failure? Now see how well
it works ; " and she pointed to the happy group of
lads and lassies dancing, singing, and chattering
together with every sign of kindly good fellowship.
" I give in, and when my Goldilocks is old enough
I '11 send her to you. Can I say more than that? >:
" I shall be so proud to have your little treasure
trusted to me. But really, Teddy, the effect of these
girls has been excellent. I know you will laugh at
me, but I don't mind, I 'm used to it; so I '11 tell you
that one of my favorite fancies is to look at my family
as a small world, to watch the progress of my little
Thanksgiving 379
men, and, lately, to see how well the influence of my
little women works upon them. Daisy is the domestic
element, and they all feel the charm of her quiet,
womanly ways. Nan is the restless, energetic, strong-
minded one ; they admire her courage, and give her
a fair chance to work out her will, seeing that she
has sympathy as well as strength, and the power to
do much in their small world. Your Bess is the
lady, full of natural refinement, grace, and beauty.
She polishes them unconsciously, and fills her place
as any lovely woman may, using her gentle influence
to lift and hold them above the coarse, rough things
of life, and keep them gentlemen in the best sense of
the fine old word."
" It is not always the ladies who do that best, Jo.
It is sometimes the strong brave woman who stirs up
the boy and makes a man of him ; " and Laurie bowed
to her with a significant laugh.
" No ; I think the graceful woman, whom the boy
you allude to married, has done more for him than
the wild Nan of his youth ; or, better still, the wise,
motherly woman who watched over him, as Daisy
watches over Demi, did most to make him what he
is ; ' and Jo turned toward her mother, who sat a
little apart with Meg, looking so full of the sweet
dignity and beauty of old age, that Laurie gave her a
glance of filial respect and love as he replied, in
serious earnest,
" All three did much for him, and I can understand
how well these little girls will help your lads."
" Not more than the lads help them ; it is mutual, I
assure you. Nat does much for Daisy with his music ;
Dan can manage Nan better than any of us ; and
3 8o
Little Men
Demi teaches your Goldilocks so easily and well that
Fritz calls them Roger Ascham and Lady Jane Grey.
Dear me ! if men and women would only trust, under-
stand, and help one another as my children do, what
a capital place the world would be ! ' and Mrs. Jo's
eyes grew absent, as if she was looking at a new and
charming state of society in which people lived as
happily and innocently as her flock at Plumfield.
" You are doing your best to help on the good
time, my dear. Continue to believe in it, to work for
it, and to prove its possibility by the success of your
small experiment," said Mr. March, pausing as he
passed to say an encouraging word, for the good man
never lost his faith in humanity, and still hoped to see
peace, good-will, and happiness reign upon the earth.
" I am not so ambitious as that, father. I only
want to give these children a home in which they can
be taught the few simple things which will help to
make life less hard to them when they go out to
fight their battles in the world. Honesty, courage,
industry, faith in God, their fellow-creatures, and
themselves ; that is all I try for."
" That is every thing. Give them these helps, then
let them go to work out their life as men and women ;
and whatever their success or failure is, I think they
will remember and bless your efforts, my good son
and daughter."
The Professor had joined them, and as Mr. March
spoke he gave a hand to each, and left them with a
look that was a blessing. As Jo and her husband
stood together for a moment talking quietly, and
feeling that their summer work had been well done
if father approved, Mr. Laurie slipped into the hall,
Thanksgiving 381
said a word to the children, and all of a sudden the
whole flock pranced into the room, joined hands and
danced about Father and Mother Bhaer, singing
blithely
" Summer days are over,
Summer work is done ,
Harvests have been gathered
Gayly one by one.
Now the feast is eaten,
Finished is the play ;
But one rite remains for
Our Thanksgiving-day.
" Best of all the harvest
In the dear God's sight,
Are the happy children
In the home to-night;
And we come to offer
Thanks where thanks are due,
With grateful hearts and voices,
Father, mother, unto you."
With the last words the circle narrowed till the good
Professor and his wife were taken prisoner by many
arms, and half hidden by the bouquet of laughing
young faces which surrounded them, proving that
one plant had taken root and blossomed beautifully
in all the little gardens. For love is a flower that
grows in any soil, works its sweet miracles undaunted
by autumn frost or winter snow, blooming fair and
fragrant all the year, and blessing those who give
and those who receive.
THE END
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